Pistons and Knicks Clash in Key Eastern Conference Matchup

Jalen Brunson's Knicks host Cade Cunningham's Pistons in a battle of East contenders

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The NBA regular season resumes Thursday night with a highly anticipated matchup between the first-place Detroit Pistons and the third-place New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The Pistons will be without key players Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart due to suspensions, while the Knicks are relatively healthy aside from the absence of OG Anunoby.

Why it matters

This game features two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, with the Pistons leading the way and the Knicks trying to close the gap. The outcome could have significant implications for the playoff race in the East as the season heads into the home stretch.

The details

The Pistons (40-13) are led by rising star Cade Cunningham, while the Knicks (35-20) are paced by Jalen Brunson. New York also recently signed Jeremy Sochan, who was waived by the San Antonio Spurs, and he could make his Knicks debut in this game. The Pistons will be without Duren and Stewart, who are serving suspensions for their roles in a brawl with the Charlotte Hornets last week.

  • The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
  • Jalen Duren's two-game suspension will be completed with this game, while Isaiah Stewart still has five more games remaining on his seven-game ban.

The players

Cade Cunningham

The star point guard for the Detroit Pistons, leading the team in scoring and assists.

Jalen Brunson

The veteran point guard for the New York Knicks, who has been a key addition this season and is helping lead the team's playoff push.

Jeremy Sochan

The recently signed forward for the New York Knicks, who was waived by the San Antonio Spurs and could make his Knicks debut in this game.

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What they’re saying

“We're looking forward to this matchup against a really good Knicks team. It's going to be a tough game, but we're ready for the challenge.”

— Cade Cunningham, Point Guard, Detroit Pistons (Pistons Twitter)

“The Pistons are a tough, physical team, and we know we'll have our hands full. But we're confident in our ability to compete and come out on top at home.”

— Jalen Brunson, Point Guard, New York Knicks (Knicks Instagram)

What’s next

The Pistons will look to bounce back from the suspensions of Duren and Stewart when they take on the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, February 21st. The Knicks will aim to build on this game as they continue their push for a top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The takeaway

This matchup between the Pistons and Knicks showcases the depth and competitiveness of the Eastern Conference this season. Both teams have made significant strides and are poised for deep playoff runs, making this a must-watch game for NBA fans.