New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson
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Detroit Pistons sweep season series against New York Knicks.
Heading into this season, the New York Knicks were viewed as the favorite to come out of the Eastern Conference. Following their latest outing, one former player is pleading for them to avoid one key rival in their quest to get back to the conference finals.
With teams like the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers dealing with major injuries, the East was viewed as wide open heading into the 2026 campaign. Seeing that they brought the same core as last year, though they did undergo a coaching change, many believed this was New York’s time to finally break through.
Currently sitting in third place in the East with a 35-21 record, the Knicks are in a good position to go on a deep run. However, they have one major roadblock in their way. That being the first place Detroit Pistons.
The Pistons seem to have taken last playoffs personally, as they’ve had statement victories over New York on numerous occasions this year. February 19th was the latest instance, securing a 126-111 win in the Garden thanks to a 42-point barrage from Cade Cunningham.
With this victory, the Pistons have swept the season series with the Knicks 3-0. Given how these matchups have unfolded, one former player is already pressing the panic button. While on “NBA Today” February 20th, Iman Shumpert stated the Knicks should do everything in their power not to square off against Detroit in the postseason.
“As a guy that played for the Knicks and a guy that goes to support the Knicks as much as I can,” Shumpert said. “I do not want them playing Detroit. I would much rather somebody else take them out if I’m the Knicks.”
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“I do not want them playing Detroit. … I don’t want to see [Cade Cunningham] in The Garden no more. Somebody else please get them out the way.” @imanshumpert on the Knicks possibly facing the Pistons in the playoffs 😂
Stephen A. Smith Quickly Losing Faith in the New York Knicks
Shumpert is far from the only person starting to feel concerned for the Knicks. Following the latest loss to Detroit, longtime New York supporter Stephen A. Smith is also starting to be filled with doubt.
During the February 20th installment of “First Take” on ESPN, Stephen A. went on a fiery rant about the Knicks letting the Pistons come in and take them down on their home floor.
“The Knicks are doing nothing,” Stephen A. said. “MSG, we’re watching our home team get punk’d. This is not good.”
Knicks Guard Isn’t Bothered by Lack of Success Against Pistons
Talking heads around the league are quickly getting caught up in the fact that the Pistons are 3-0 against the Knicks this season. However, inside the New York locker room, it doesn’t appear to be much of an issue.
While speaking with the media postgame, Jose Alverado was asked if regular season matchups would have any effect come playoff time. He feels confident the team doesn’t have that kind of mindset and that the postseason is a completely different playing field.
“Playoffs is a whole different ballgame,” Alverado told reporters. “We’re not gonna sit here and say oh just because they beat us in the regular season we can’t. We’re not thinking like that, I don’t think like that. When it counts, that’s when it matters.”
With the season series behind them now, these teams will have to wait until the postseason to potentially add another chapter to their growing rivalry.