In a back-and-forth Game 4 defined by physical defense and contested shot making, the Knicks trailed the Pistons 71–64 as the fourth quarter began.
With New York holding a 2–1 series edge, this was a consequential swing game— and that’s when Clutch Player of the Year Jalen Brunson and “Big Bodega” Karl-Anthony Towns seized control to rally a Knicks fourth-quarter comeback.
Together, they poured in 23 of the team’s 30 fourth-quarter points, with Brunson erupting for 15 before Towns iced the win with eight in the final three minutes.
Brunson’s Fourth-Quarter Isolation Clinic
With three minutes left in the third, Brunson fell to the floor, clutching the same right ankle that cost him a month late in the regular season. He limped off to the locker room but was back on the bench before the break, and subbed back in at the 10-minute mark.
From there, Brunson emptied his All-NBA isolation bag. The Pistons were forced to stick to their smaller veteran guards in Tim Hardaway Jr. and Dennis Schröder because of Ausar Thompson‘s shooting inconsistencies. As a result, Brunson promptly torched them as six of his seven made fourth-quarter field goals came against them in the isolation.
Most came in the paint, where a low center of gravity and lightning-quick first step allowed him to blow by or outmuscle both defenders. Whether attacking the rim for contested finishes, popping mid-range pull-ups, or stepping out to bury a side-step three, Brunson was simply unguardable.
Towns’ Clutch Execution
As Brunson dictated the opening nine minutes of the fourth, Towns reminded everyone why New York invested heavily in him this offseason by delivering the two most important shots of the game.
With 1:30 remaining and the Knicks down 93–89, Towns hit a heavily contested fadeaway jumper over the backboard as the shot clock was expiring to make it a two-point ball game. On the next possession, he then drilled a near 30-foot step-back three, giving the Knicks a 94-93 lead.
His impact went well beyond the scoreboard: His pick-and-pop gravity kept Detroit’s bigs honest, opening up driving lanes for Brunson and kick-outs for the shooters. That mix of clutch scoring, offensive rebounding, and floor-spacing highlighted Towns’ integral role in New York’s late-game strategy.
Role-Player Responsibilities
Not to look too far ahead, but the Knicks join the Celtics in holding 3–1 leads, and nearly 97% of teams up 3–1 advance. As 5.5-point favorites back at Madison Square Garden, New York can close out Detroit and ride that momentum into Round 2. Beyond their stars, they’ll need:
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Josh Hart’s hustle: Turn back the clock to his Villanova days, diving for loose balls and crashing the glass for second-chance points.
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OG Anunoby’s lockdown defense: Shadow Cade Cunningham with suffocating on-ball pressure and force Detroit’s primary playmaker into tough looks.
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Mikal Bridges’ timely shooting: Whether it’s a corner triple or a mid-range jumper, Bridges must knock down open looks to keep the Pistons honest.
Future Playoff Ambitions
Game 4’s explosive turnaround made it clear why Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns rank among the league’s most impactful duos.
Their blend of pull-up scoring, playmaking gravity, and glass-crashing versatility has become New York’s late-game engine. Carrying this formula into the second round by controlling pace, exploiting mismatches, and executing under pressure will be critical as the Knicks face stiffer competition.
If Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns sustain this level of play, Madison Square Garden will prove an impenetrable fortress, and New York’s deep-run ambitions will feel utterly within reach.
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