Towns posts 27 points and 20 rebounds as Knicks beat Pistons for first win

Karl-Anthony Towns delivered 27 points and 20 rebounds as the New York Knicks defeated the Detroit Pistons 111-97 on Tuesday, October 27, securing their first victory of the season. The defending NBA champions improved to 1-3, while Detroit dropped to 3-1 after its first defeat. Field Level Media's report, carried by Reuters and GMA News, described a comeback built around New York's dominant third quarter.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaIdIC1u29Q

Detroit had led 38-25 after the opening period, but New York reversed that advantage before halftime. The Knicks won the second quarter 26-12 to move ahead 51-50, then outscored the Pistons 37-13 in the third. That left the home side with an 88-63 lead entering the final quarter, a sharp turnaround from its early 13-point deficit.

Towns made 12 of his 21 field-goal attempts and collected eight offensive rebounds, according to the game statistics published by Land of Basketball. Jalen Brunson added 23 points and seven assists despite shooting five-for-18 from the floor. His free throws accounted for much of his scoring: he converted 13 of 16 attempts while missing all five of his three-point shots.

New York also received 13 points apiece from OG Anunoby and reserve Landry Shamet. Mikal Bridges scored 12, making four of eight attempts from beyond the arc, while Andre Drummond contributed 10 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Josh Hart recorded five steals. The Knicks finished with 23 successful free throws from 28 attempts, compared with Detroit's 14 from 24.

Paul Reed led the Pistons with 22 points and nine rebounds. Cade Cunningham supplied 19 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, while Duncan Robinson scored 12. Detroit won the fourth quarter 34-23, but could not erase the deficit. Field Level Media reported that Ronald Holland II's putback reduced the gap to 104-93 with 2:39 remaining before New York secured the result.

The victory also ended New York's six-game regular-season losing streak against Detroit. According to Associated Press reporting, the Knicks had opened the season with defeats to Philadelphia, Boston and Orlando. By avoiding another loss, they escaped matching the 1969-70 Boston Celtics' 0-4 start as defending champions.