The Detroit Pistons and Knicks timeline in basketball history covers 400+ meets with highly intense statistical highs and lows since 1948-49.
The Knicks hold an edge over the Pistons in the timeline and today we will tell you even about their recent Eastern Conference Round Series.
Table of Contents
All-Time Head-to-Head Timeline: From 1948 to the Present Day
Now, look, the Pistons vs. Knicks history does show how New York has had a slight advantage across the board. It makes sense as it’s given how long they’ve been going at it.
Detroit has had their moments of absolute court dominance. The championship run, especially.
Also Read: Pacers vs Knicks Timeline: Early 90s to Now
Overall Head-to-Head Records: A Decades-Long Pistons and Knicks Rivalry Summary
You’re in for a swoop down to 422 games between the two. Both regular season and playoffs count here.
The Pistons: Well, they got 189 wins. 233 losses. These are all against the Knicks. And that’s a 44.8 percent winning percentage.
A breakdown of regular seasons between the Pistons and Knicks gives the Pistons a 44.6 percent win rate with 179 wins and 222 losses.
The playoff picture between Knicks and Pistons?
Playoffs between Knicks and Pistons: They just met four times. Now, Detroit is trailing with a 1-3 series record. The Pistons are 10-11.
Pistons vs. Knicks All-Time Head-to-Head Record
| Category | Pistons Record (W-L) | Knicks Record (W-L) | Pistons Win Percentage | Playoff Series Record (Pistons) |
| Total Games | 189–233 | 233–189 | 44.8% | N/A |
| Regular Season | 179–222 | 222–179 | 44.6% | N/A |
| Playoff Games | 10–11 | 11–10 | 47.6% | N/A |
| Playoff Series | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1–3 |
When did the Pistons Dominate? Pistons Golden Eras with Longest Winning Streak
The Pistons had stretches…long ones and they owned the Knicks.
The unbelievable 12 straight games gave in to the longest winning streak against the Knicks for the Pistons.
Also Read: Kazakhstan National Football Team vs Norway National Football Team Timeline
These years were in the 80s, and to be precise Feb 12, 1986. The win was 113 – 99 that didn’t end Christmas day of 1987.
Carrying this streak into the playoffs of 1989 – 90, the Pistons and Knicks met in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The former demolished the New York Knicks with 4 – 1.
Home wins of the Pistons against the Knicks in the playoffs:
- May 8th 9 (112 – 77)
- May 10 (104 – 97)
- May 15 (95 – 84)
- One road victory on May 13 (102 – 90)
Pistons represented the peak Bad Boys basketball here.
Statistical Extremes: Largest Wins and Losses in Pistons vs Knicks Timeline
What ‘bout blowouts?
Going further back, the Pistons’ biggest win was 28th November 1962. This was a 42-point breakdown. They won 143- 101, and that too, at home.
They dropped 36 points too earlier on 6th December 1961. Then a 35-point playoff win on May 8th 1990 was a major sting for Knicks fans.
Loss is both ways here. Detroit’s worst was the 48-point disaster on 20th December 1968 with a sad 87 – 135.
Detroit also recently had a 44-point loss on 3rd April 2021. Lost to the Knicks over 81 – 125. Wasn’t pretty.
Also Read: Golden State Warriors vs Houston Rockets Timeline
Detroit Pistons Biggest Margin Wins vs. Knicks
| Rank | Date | Point Margin | Score |
| 1 | Wed, Nov 28, 1962 | 42 | 143–101 |
| 2 | Wed, Dec 6, 1961 | 36 | 133–97 |
| 3 | Tue, May 8, 1990 (Playoffs) | 35 | 112–77 |
| 4 | Wed, Dec 18, 1996 | 34 | 112–78 |
| 5 | Sat, Jan 29, 2005 | 30 | 91–61 |
The Immediate Past: The High-Stakes 2024-2025 Timeline of Detroit Pistons vs New York Knicks
Want to know what happened in the recent 2024-25 season?
Competitive, yes, with the regular season games and that led to a playoff series that any Detroit fan won’t talk about anymore.
2024-25 Regular Season Matchups: Setting the Stage
Detroit took over the Knicks with the regular season series by 3 to 1.
Twice on the road, they won and much to what fans wanted. Once 120 – 111 on December 7th 2024 and 124 -119 on January 13 2025. Then a home win April 10th.
The only loss for the Pistons was the November 1st 2024 match with the Knicks. That was a brutal beatdown of 98 – 128.
Also Read: Portugal National Football Team vs France National Football Team Timeline
2024-2025 Regular Season H2H Results
| Date | Location | Result | Score |
| Fri, Nov 1, 2024 | vs New York Knicks (Home) | Loss | 98–128 |
| Sat, Dec 7, 2024 | @ New York Knicks (Away) | Win | 120–111 |
| Mon, Jan 13, 2025 | @ New York Knicks (Away) | Win | 124–119 |
| Thu, Apr 10, 2025 | vs New York Knicks (Home) | Win | 115–106 |
The 2025 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Series Breakdown
The main event? The 2025 Eastern Conference First Round? Let’s talk about it.
This was the fourth playoff meeting in the entire timeline of Pistons and Knicks. Pistons lost 2 – 4 with Knicks.
But here’s what you need to remember: Game 2 on April 21, 2025.
The Pistons won 100–94 at Madison Square Garden. They got back to their feet and ended that brutal 15-game postseason losing streak.
Cunningham, in fact, dropped 33 points on 11/21 shooting with 10/12 from the line.
On the other hand, Brunson put up 37 for the Knicks (12/27 FG, 9/11 FT).
The series ended Game 6 on May 1, 2025. It was a heartbreaker at home, 113–116. That sealed it for the Knicks.
Also Read: Argentina National Football Team Vs France National Football Team Timeline
2025 Pistons vs. Knicks Playoff Series Timeline (L 2-4 Series)
| Game | Date | Location | Result | Final Score |
| Game 1 | Sat, Apr 19, 2025 | @ New York Knicks (Away) | Loss | 112–123 |
| Game 2 | Mon, Apr 21, 2025 | @ New York Knicks (Away) | Win | 100–94 |
| Game 3 | Thu, Apr 24, 2025 | vs New York Knicks (Home) | Loss | 116–118 |
| Game 4 | Sun, Apr 27, 2025 | vs New York Knicks (Home) | Loss | 93–94 |
| Game 5 | Tue, Apr 29, 2025 | @ New York Knicks (Away) | Win | 106–103 |
| Game 6 | Thu, May 1, 2025 | vs New York Knicks (Home) | Loss | 113–116 |
Recent Performance Trends: Analyzing the Last 20 Matchups
Zooming in on what’s recent in the Detroit Pistons vs New York Knicks timeline, this rivalry has shifted in New York’s favor.
The 5-15 Record: Modern Struggles Against New York
Check this, in their last 20 games against the Knicks as we go back to December 21, 2021, Detroit’s sits at 5-15. That’s a .250 winning percentage.
This stretch includes that six-game playoff series and the regular seasons right before it. That shows Detroit’s has been struggling of late. They averaged 106.5 points across those 20 games.
Notable 2025-26 Season Previews and Standings
What does the current season look like then?
Both teams are doing well early on.
As of November 5, 2025, the Pistons are 6 – 2. They sit 2nd in the Central Division, just 0.5 games back.
The Knicks are 5 – 3. It’s incredible they are 3rd in the Atlantic Division.
The Future in the Timeline of Pistons and Knicks
You’ve got more chapters coming in this rivalry. Detroit and New York have their matchups scheduled, and so far this season they’re 0-0 against each other.
Upcoming Regular Season Dates
Here’s when you can catch them next:
- Mon, January 5, 2026: Detroit Pistons vs New York Knicks (Home Game)
- Fri, February 6, 2026: Detroit Pistons vs New York Knicks (Home Game)
- Thu, February 19, 2026: Detroit Pistons @ New York Knicks (Away Game)
FAQs
1. How many times have the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks faced each other?
They have met 422 times across regular season and playoff games since 1948-49.
2. Who leads the all-time head-to-head series between the Pistons and Knicks?
The New York Knicks lead the overall series with 233 wins to the Pistons’ 189 wins.
3. What is the playoff series record between the Pistons and Knicks?
The teams have met four times in the playoffs, with the Knicks leading 3-1 in series wins.
4. When was the longest winning streak by the Pistons against the Knicks?
The Pistons had a 12-game winning streak from February 12, 1986, to December 25, 1987.
5. What was the largest margin of victory in the Pistons vs Knicks games?
The Pistons’ biggest win was by 42 points on November 28, 1962, with a 143-101 score.
6. What happened in the most recent playoff meeting in 2025?
The Knicks won the 2025 Eastern Conference First Round series 4-2 against the Pistons.