Cade Cunningham's 42 points lead Pistons to blowout win over Knicks

Detroit Pistons defeat New York Knicks 126-111 in latest matchup

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The Detroit Pistons continued their dominance over the New York Knicks, winning 126-111 behind a 42-point performance from star player Cade Cunningham. This was the third blowout victory for the Pistons over the Knicks since their playoff matchup last season, suggesting the Pistons are still holding a grudge from that postseason defeat.

Why it matters

The Pistons' ability to consistently defeat the Knicks, a fellow Eastern Conference playoff contender, demonstrates their growth as a team and their potential to make a deep postseason run this year. The lopsided nature of these matchups also raises questions about the Knicks' ability to compete with the top teams in the conference.

The details

Cade Cunningham, the Pistons' rising star, led the way with 42 points, showcasing his scoring prowess and ability to take over games. The Pistons' balanced attack and stifling defense proved too much for the Knicks to handle, as Detroit cruised to a comfortable victory.

  • The Pistons and Knicks previously met in the playoffs last season, with the Knicks emerging victorious.
  • This was the third regular season matchup between the two teams in the 2025-26 NBA season.

The players

Cade Cunningham

The Pistons' star player, who scored 42 points in the victory.

Detroit Pistons

The NBA team that defeated the New York Knicks in this game.

New York Knicks

The NBA team that lost to the Detroit Pistons in this game.

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What they’re saying

“We came in with a chip on our shoulder after that playoff loss. This was a statement game for us.”

— Cade Cunningham (Yahoo Daily News)

The takeaway

The Pistons' continued dominance over the Knicks suggests they are emerging as a force to be reckoned with in the Eastern Conference, while the Knicks may need to re-evaluate their approach to compete with the top teams in the league.