Pistons Face Knicks in Critical Game 4 Amid Injuries

The Detroit Pistons are contending with key injuries in their first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks, notably missing Isaiah Stewart, who has been sidelined due to knee inflammation. Stewart’s absence has challenged the Pistons’ defense, particularly against Knicks' star big man Karl-Anthony Towns, who dominated Game 3 with 31 points, while Detroit struggled to keep him in check. Despite this, the Pistons have relied on players like Paul Reed, Jalen Duren, and Tobias Harris to step up defensively, and their physicality was pivotal in their Game 2 win when Towns was limited. Offensively, the Knicks have focused on double-teaming Pistons’ star Cade Cunningham, but Detroit’s coach J.B. Bickerstaff believes that leveraging these situations to create four-on-three opportunities could be decisive. The Pistons are looking to make minor tactical adjustments rather than sweeping changes, aiming to improve defense and transition play. With the series standing at 2-1 in favor of New York, Detroit hopes a strong home crowd and tightened execution will help them even the series in Game 4.