Game 5 between the Pistons and Knicks is a nail-biter: 18 lead changes, clutch plays, and Cunningham’s decisive free throws with 5 seconds left seal it for Detroit. Brunson and Towns fall short, and New York misses their first knockout chance. The series heads back to Detroit for Game 6.
The Detroit Pistons kept their season alive with a thrilling Game 5 victory, in a fiercely contested matchup decided in the final moments. A game featuring 18 lead changes ultimately rewarded the team that stayed cooler under pressure. This time, that team was Detroit.
The star of the night was Cade Cunningham, who delivered a complete performance: 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists, but most importantly, two clutch free throws with 5 seconds remaining. His composure from the line gave the Pistons their second win in the series, now trailing 2–3, and earned them a lifeline with Game 6 set to be played back at the Little Caesars Arena.
Earlier, it seemed the Knicks were ready to close out the series thanks to three-pointers from Mikal Bridges (17 points) and OG Anunoby (19 points, 8 rebounds), who helped New York surge in the fourth quarter. But on the final possession, Detroit chose not to gamble: they committed a tactical foul on Miles McBride, who missed both free throws, giving the Pistons one last chance — and they took it.
Missing in action on the big stage were the Knicks’ stars. Jalen Brunson, the standout of the series so far, struggled from the field with 16 points on just 4-of-16 shooting. Karl-Anthony Towns finished with a double-double (17 points and 11 rebounds), but he also shot poorly, ending at 5-of-14. The lack of efficiency cost New York the knockout blow and forced them into a tougher road ahead.
Now, the series heads back to Detroit for Game 6, with the Pistons hoping to complete the comeback, and the Knicks under pressure to respond and avoid a stunning collapse. The series is officially back on.