A New Era: Detroit Breaks Historic Playoff Drought with Victory
Pistons Triumph Over Knicks
In a thrilling comeback season, the Detroit Pistons achieved a landmark victory on April 22, 2025, defeating the New York Knicks 100-94 at Madison Square Garden. This win marks Detroit’s first playoff victory since 2008, ending a staggering streak of 15 consecutive playoff losses—the longest in NBA history. The series is now tied 1-1.
Historic Context
The last time the Pistons celebrated a postseason win was when Chauncey Billups was still with the team. Since then, Billups has had a varied career, including stints with the Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, and Los Angeles Clippers, as well as coaching roles and a return to Detroit as an assistant.
Pistons’ beat writer Rod Beard expressed the excitement of fans, tweeting, “There is a whole generation of Detroit fans who saw their team win a playoff game for the first time today. This is a completely new era.” NBA writer Justin Termine added, “In just start year, the Pistons transformed from a team that lost 28 games in a row to a playoff winner at Madison Square Garden. This is the greatest story in sports.”
Standout Performances
The night was dominated by Pistons’ star Cade Cunningham, who delivered an impressive performance with 33 points and 12 rebounds. Legendary player Magic Johnson commented, “Cade showed America that he’s a superstar in the making.” NBA analyst Zach Lowe praised the Pistons, stating, “They kept the Knicks off-balance throughout the game. Winning in 2025 while shooting 6 of 27 from three-pointers is a tough feat, but they did it. This team is gritty and physical. Cade is ready for this.”
Journalists noted that Cunningham, who has averages of at least 27.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 7.5 assists in his first two playoff games, joins elite company with Luka Dončić and Oscar Robertson.
Dennis Schroder’s Clutch Performance
Dennis Schroder, contributing 20 points on 60% shooting, made what proved to be the game-winning shot—a three-pointer that broke the tie with less than a minute remaining. Sports journalist Bart Ziegler remarked, “Call me crazy, but Schroder is start of the 20 best clutch players in the world.” He highlighted the significance of Schroder’s impact after being traded three times this season, concluding, “A true professional.”
The excitement surrounding the Pistons’ resurgence has captured the attention of the basketball community, marking a transformative moment for the franchise and its fans alike