The New York Knicks had dreams of knocking off the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics when they acquired Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges this past offseason, and those hopes remain alive heading into the 2025 NBA playoffs. But the NBA’s biggest surprise team this season stands in the way as the Detroit Pistons attempt to win their first postseason series in 17 years.
The Pistons orchestrated the sixth-best single-season turnaround in NBA history while 2021 No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham and a hard-nosed supporting cast of veterans and up-and-coming players gelled under coach J.B. Bickerstaff. They’ve been playing like one of the Eastern Conference’s best teams for months and beat the Knicks late in the regular season.
MORE: How Luka Doncic-LeBron James connection turned Lakers into legitimate title contender
PISTONS VS. KNICKS: Predictions, schedule, series preview
New York’s big expectations with Jalen Brunson – who missed 15 games late in the season with a sprained right ankle but returned April 6 – leading the charge remain intact despite a rockier-than-expected close to the regular season and a subpar record against some of the best teams in the league. The lineup featuring Brunson, Bridges, Towns and forwards Josh Hart and OG Anunoby was the most-used in the NBA by coach Tom Thibodeau.
The experts are predicting a physical and long series between two teams that haven’t played against one another in the NBA playoffs since 1992. Here’s how to watch Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first-round matchup between the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons:
What time is Knicks vs. Pistons?
Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons is at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 19.
How to watch Knicks vs. Pistons: Time, TV, streaming info for Game 1
- Time: 6 p.m. ET
- Location: Madison Square Garden (New York)
- TV: ESPN
- Stream: Fubo
Watch Knicks vs. Pistons with Fubo
Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you make a purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
