Duncan Robinson's Hot Start Slows as Pistons Suffer First Loss to Knicks

NEW YORK — The Detroit Pistons suffered their first defeat of the NBA season on Tuesday night, falling 111-97 to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Detroit entered the contest undefeated following a strong offensive start led by veteran sharpshooter Duncan Robinson, but New York tightened its perimeter defense and rode a dominant second-half surge from Karl-Anthony Towns to halt Detroit's three-game winning streak.

Robinson had emerged as a primary catalyst for Detroit’s surprising 3-0 start, solving early questions surrounding the team’s outside shooting and perimeter spacing. Over his first three games, the ninth-year guard ranked second on the roster in scoring with 19.7 points per game while converting 53.6 percent of his three-point attempts, draining an average of five triples per contest. His perimeter efficiency established him as an essential secondary scoring option alongside lead playmaker Cade Cunningham.

On Tuesday, Robinson was limited to 12 points as the defending champion Knicks focused their defensive game plan on taking away Detroit's perimeter marksmen. New York head coach Mike Brown praised his team's improved defensive awareness and physicality against Detroit's perimeter threats, noting that Robinson and guard Daniss Jenkins were held to a combined 3-of-16 shooting performance from the floor. The defensive lockdown helped New York recover from an 0-3 start to its own season.

Despite Robinson seeing fewer clean looks, Detroit initially established a 38-25 lead in the opening quarter behind backup center Paul Reed. Starting in place of Jalen Duren, who is sidelined with a hamstring strain expected to keep him out for at least two weeks, Reed produced 16 first-half points and finished with 22 points and nine rebounds. However, New York took control after halftime, outscoring Detroit 37-13 in the third quarter behind Towns, who recorded 27 points and 20 rebounds, and Jalen Brunson, who scored 23 points.

Cunningham remained active as Detroit's primary engine, posting a near triple-double with 19 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. Still, the Pistons struggled to maintain offensive rhythm, shooting just 58.3 percent from the free-throw line during the loss. That contrast was sharp compared to Sunday's 106-93 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, when Cunningham tallied 26 points and Robinson poured in 21 points on 5-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc.

Under head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, the Pistons have frequently utilized Robinson by having him set screens before flaring out to the perimeter for open looks. Speaking after Sunday's win over Philadelphia about his comfort in the system, Robinson explained that playing instinctively has unlocked his shooting form. "Freedom and just allowing your instincts to take over, that's when anyone is going to play at their best," Robinson said. "Especially when it comes to shooting, when you sort of let the guardrails off and let instincts be in the driver's seat, that's when you're able to be your best."

Although New York managed to neutralize Detroit's perimeter shooting on Tuesday, the Pistons continue to view Robinson's high-volume floor spacing as vital to their offensive identity. His ability to draw attention behind the arc remains crucial for opening driving lanes for Cunningham and managing the frontcourt rotation during Duren's absence, leaving Detroit focused on rebounding as the regular season continues.