NEW YORK, NY — Four games into the season, the Knicks needed a win badly enough that a game in October carried the weight of a must win.

Karl-Anthony Towns delivered 27 points and 20 rebounds Tuesday night as New York overcame a sluggish opening quarter to beat the previously unbeaten Detroit Pistons 111-97 and record their first win (1-3).

The Knicks finally had something to build on but with a trip to Chicago awaiting Wednesday, they had little time to enjoy it.

LIVE from New York… it's KAT and JB with Lara Raj and Daniela Avanzini from KATSEYE!

The @nyknicks defeat the Pistons at home 🗽 pic.twitter.com/VmlxmkSnLB

— NBA (@NBA) October 28, 2026

Defense Turns Game Around

Detroit’s 38-25 first-quarter lead brought familiar concerns for New York, allowing Paul Reed to score 13 points in the period and Cade Cunningham to find openings as the Knicks shot 8 of 23 from the field.

Before tip-off, head coach Mike Brown had resisted treating the winless start as a crisis by recalling his experience with Golden State’s championship teams: “The one thing that I do know is nobody ever panicked.”

New York responded by holding Detroit to 12 second-quarter points and taking a 51-50 lead into halftime. The Knicks then outscored the Pistons 37-13 in the third, closing the period with Josh Hart’s buzzer-beating three-pointer and a sideline dance to go along after for an 88-63 advantage.

YESSIRRR JOSH pic.twitter.com/3WNihOgThn

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) October 28, 2026

Detroit cut a 27-point deficit to 13 in the fourth, forcing Brown to restore his starting lineup yet New York steadied itself and were able finish the job.

“Our physicality on both sides of the ball was really good,” Brown said afterward.

Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff had acknowledged before the game that Detroit’s playoff loss to New York two years earlier “changed our mentality.” 

Afterward, he defended his team’s approach amid foul trouble, stating, “We’re physical within the rules. 

Towns gives New York its Strongest Answer

Towns finished 12 of 21 from the field, collecting eight offensive rebounds and recording his third consecutive double-double.

KAT. ATTACK. 💥

He's got 21 points and 11 rebounds as the Knicks lead in the 3Q! pic.twitter.com/MUPQDkiZA6

— NBA (@NBA) October 28, 2026

The 30-year-old Dominican-American star has been New York’s most efficient offensive weapon to open the season, averaging 22.5 points on 60% shooting through four games. Despite the stellar offense, KAT’s biggest adjustment Tuesday night came defensively as Reed had 16 points by halftime, which then prompted a direct challenge from Brown.

“KAT’s a grown man, he’s obviously a perennial All-Star,” Brown said. “I just told him the truth.”

Towns answered with a stronger second half, helping New York control the interior while Detroit’s offense stalled.

“I thought we did a better job picking up on our intensity and our physicality and we executed at a high level,” Towns said.

big fella with a big three ‼️ pic.twitter.com/j1fFU1xM6E

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) October 28, 2026

His production also adds weight to his contract discussion from over the summer into this fall. Towns and the Knicks did not reach an extension agreement before training camp, and owner James Dolan said all negotiations would have to wait until after the 2026-2027 season. 

Continued performances like this would strengthen Towns’ side of the conversation when talks resume.

There was more room for improvement Tuesday: Towns committed seven turnovers and picked up five fouls. Still, New York leaned heavily on him when the team desperately needed its first victory.

Brunson works through shooting struggles as Kolek contributes off the bench

Although Tuesday’s performance offered ways to contribute while his jumper was still not falling, Jalen Brunson’s shooting remains a concern as he works back from offseason wrist surgery. The 30-year-old finished with 23 points and seven assists despite shooting 5 of 18, including 0 of 5 from beyond the arc.

cap is too smooooooth 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/IhuwZPwj2K

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) October 28, 2026

He made 13 of 16 free throws and opened the second half with consecutive baskets.

His assessment of finally winning?

“Fantastic.”

Brunson emphasized steady progress rather than a sudden solution, stating, “Just get on base and hit singles and have everybody chip in and contribute.”

With José Alvarado missing a second straight game because of a sprained ankle, Tyler Kolek supplied useful minutes behind Brunson, finishing with three assists and two steals in 11 minutes. His highlight reel sequence came in the fourth quarter, when he stole the ball from Ausar Thompson and delivered a beautiful behind-the-back pass to Towns for an uncontested dunk.

OMG TYLER KOLEK 🤯 pic.twitter.com/QOjEJp368d

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) October 28, 2026

Bridges finds his shot before Chicago road trip

Mikal Bridges entered Tuesday having missed his first 10 three-point attempts of the season. He finally connected in the opening quarter and finished with 12 points, making 4-8 from deep. His third three-pointer gave New York a second-quarter lead. His fourth helped stretch New York’s advantage early on in the third, giving the Knicks needed offense alongside his defensive effort.

“If we keep taking the shots that we’re taking, they’re gonna start going in—sooner or later,” Brown said.

New York now visits a young Chicago Bulls team who also have started the season 1-3, completing the NBA first back-to-back of the season. 

Karl-Anthony Towns on the Knicks' first win of the season:

"Gotta get the next one. The only thing on the mind. Just build off of this game and continue to improve as a team" pic.twitter.com/mvxJ9irD6b

— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) October 28, 2026

Tuesday established what better defense could do for an offense still lagging and trying to find its footing. 

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