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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 15: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks looks on during the fourth quarter of the game against the Golden State Warriors at Madison Square Garden on March 15, 2026 in New York City.
When it comes to the New York Knicks, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith is confident that they can beat anybody in the Eastern Conference. Well, almost everybody.
Boston, Orlando, Cleveland, Atlanta, and Miami all landed mentions from Smith. He brushed them off as if the Knicks shouldn’t have any worries about them at the end of the day.
When it comes to the Detroit Pistons, however, that’s a different story. That’s where the confidence in the Knicks goes out the window.
“I don’t believe in the New York Knicks against the Detroit Pistons,” Smith said this week on ESPN.
“I don’t believe in the New York Knicks against them, because I watched them whip the Knicks’ ass three times this year. In very very thorough, and embarrassing, and emphatic fashion. That’s my problem with the New York Knicks.”
Knicks vs Pistons Brief History
GettyDETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 05: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons drives around OG Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on January 05, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The Knicks and the Pistons have played each other a lot recently.
Last season, they met four times during the regular season and competed in a six-game playoff series in the spring of 2025.
This year, they met three more times.
In the past, the Knicks handled the Pistons with ease. When Detroit was recognized as one of the worst teams in the NBA, the Knicks had several years of sweeps against the Pistons. Before a December 7, 2024, meeting last season, the Knicks had a 16-game winning streak against the Pistons.
A 120-111 Pistons win snapped it. The Knicks went on to lose three straight against the Pistons. When the two teams met in the playoffs, the series was a competitive one. In the end, the Knicks’ experience got the best of Detroit. New York won in six games, eliminating a Pistons team that wouldn’t erase that loss from their minds.
In 2025-2026, the Pistons defeated the Knicks in blowout fashion three times. Currently, the Pistons are on a six-game winning streak against the Knicks during the regular season.
Are The Knicks In Trouble With Detroit?
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GettyJalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks drives the ball against Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons during the first quarter in Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 01, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan.
“I think the New York Knicks can beat the Boston Celtics. I think the New York Knicks can beat the Cleveland Cavaliers. They damn sure can beat anyone else in the Eastern Conference,” Smith continued.
“It’s one thing for a team to beat you. It’s another thing for them to whip your ass. But you know what stands out more? When they tell you you’re going to whip your ass beforehand,” he added about the Pistons.
“They don’t like you. They feel you got over. They feel you got over. They feel they should’ve beaten you last year, and they aren’t going to rest until they get your ass this year. … That’s scary.”
The Pistons control the Eastern Conference’s first seed with a 52-20 record. Meanwhile, the Knicks are right behind the second-seeded Boston Celtics with a 48-25 record.
The Knicks won’t have to worry about a first-round series against the Pistons this time around, but the two could end up meeting for another seven-game series sometime soon. In that case, the ESPN personality is extremely worried.