In a commanding display, the Detroit Pistons triumphed over the New York Knicks with a score of 118-80 on February 6, 2026, effectively halting the Knicks' impressive eight-game winning streak. This game marked a significant milestone for Daniss Jenkins, who scored 18 points in what was his final outing as a two-way player. Jenkins has reached the limit of 42 games allowed under his two-way contract, which means the Pistons now face the crucial decision of converting his contract into a full NBA deal if they wish to retain him. Throughout the season, Jenkins has averaged 8.2 points and 3.3 assists in about 16.8 minutes of play as a backup guard.
Missing from the Pistons’ lineup was Jalen Duren due to a knee injury, while the Knicks were without key players Karl-Anthony Towns, sidelined by an eye issue, and OG Anunoby, who was nursing a toe injury. Despite these absences, the Pistons showcased their depth, with Tobias Harris and Isaiah Stewart each contributing 15 points to the victory. Notably, this win extended Detroit's streak to five consecutive regular-season victories against New York, even though they had previously faced the Knicks in the playoffs last season, where they lost in six games during the first round.
On the Knicks' side, Mikal Bridges led the scoring with 19 points. However, Jalen Brunson struggled significantly, finishing with only 12 points on a dismal 4-for-20 shooting performance, including failing to make any of his eight attempts from beyond the arc. The Knicks' total of 80 points marked a new low for the season, surpassing their previous low of 90 points recorded in a 31-point defeat to the Pistons on January 5.
The Pistons came out strong after a disappointing loss to Washington the night before, establishing control early in the game with a dominant first half that ended with them leading 63-42. Particularly impressive was their three-point shooting; typically one of the poorer teams in this category, the Pistons converted 10 of 18 attempts (55.6%), while the Knicks managed only 5 of 19 (26.3%). Brunson was particularly off-target, hitting just 2 of 13 shots in the first half.
As the third quarter unfolded, the Knicks had the opportunity to mount a comeback but could only muster 18 points against the Pistons' defense, with Brunson going 2 for 7. Meanwhile, Jenkins and Harris each added seven points, allowing Detroit to extend their lead to a comfortable 90-60.
Looking ahead, the Knicks will head to Boston for their next matchup on Sunday, while the Pistons are set to take on Charlotte on Monday night.
