Series tied: Pistons outlast Knicks 100-94 in Game 2 clash
The Detroit Pistons bounced back from an 11-point loss in Game 1 with a gritty 100-94 win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, April 22 (Philippine time), tying their first-round playoff series at 1-1.
More than just a bounce-back victory, the win also marked the end of a long drought—Detroit snapped a 15-game playoff losing streak dating back to 2008, finally breaking through with their first postseason win in 16 years.
Cade Cunningham delivered a commanding performance, finishing with 33 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 42 minutes. He set the tone early and helped the Pistons maintain control in the closing stretch.
Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren both posted double-doubles to support the Pistons' effort. Harris tallied 15 markers and 13 boards, while Duren added 12 points, 13 boards, two assists, one steal, and a game-high three blocks.
Dennis Schröder also provided a crucial lift off the bench, contributing 20 markers, two boards, and three dimes.
Detroit opened the game strong, leading 25-18 after the first quarter. The Knicks cut the deficit to six by halftime, but the Pistons answered in the third, building their largest lead at 68-53 with just over five minutes remaining. New York trimmed it to single digits entering the fourth but couldn’t complete the comeback.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with a game-high 37 points, adding three rebounds, seven assists, and two steals. Mikal Bridges scored 19, while Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart each had 10 points. However, the Knicks’ bench was a non-factor, attempting just nine field goals the entire game.
Despite hitting more three-pointers (10-6), the Knicks were outrebounded 48-34. Detroit also capitalized at the free-throw line, making 28-of-34 attempts compared to New York’s 16-of-19.
Game 3 is set for Friday, April 25 (Philippine time) at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, where the Pistons will aim to ride their momentum and take a 2-1 series lead in front of their home crowd.
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The East Asia Super League (EASL) is officially set to raise the curtain on its new season with a twin opening in Taipei and Tokyo on October 8, 2025 — a move that reflects the league’s expanding reach and growing stature as Asia’s premier basketball competition.
All eyes in Taiwan will be on the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium, which will host a blockbuster doubleheader featuring some of the region’s most decorated clubs.
The action tips off with a clash between the B.LEAGUE champions Utsunomiya Brex and the P. LEAGUE+ runners-up Taipei Fubon Braves. Utsunomiya, led by veteran guard Makoto Hiejima, entered as one of Japan’s most successful franchises. The Braves, meanwhile, look to prove their resilience after falling short in a grueling seven-game finals series last season, banking on the leadership of Chinese Taipei legend Lin Chih-Chieh.
The second game of the night brings a rematch between the P. LEAGUE+ champions Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and Japan’s Ryukyu Golden Kings. Their last encounter came in the 2025 EASL Final Four semifinals, where Taoyuan stunned Ryukyu, 71–64. This time, the Golden Kings are eager for redemption, while the Pilots hope to reaffirm their place among Asia’s elite.
Game schedule (HKT):
- Utsunomiya vs. Taipei Fubon – 6:30 PM
- Taoyuan vs. Ryukyu – 8:30 PM
China came within a single basket of toppling Oceania powerhouse Australia in the FIBA Asia Cup final, bowing 90-89 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but sending a clear message that it remains a force in Asian basketball.
The Chinese squad, bannered by Hu Mingxuan and Hu Jinqiu, led by as many as 15 points through three quarters before faltering in the final minutes against the defending champions. Despite the heartbreaking loss, the performance was a reminder of China’s proud basketball heritage and its potential return to continental supremacy.
Gilas Pilipinas advanced to the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals after triumphing over host nation Saudi Arabia in a tense 95-88 overtime victory on Monday, August 11 (Tuesday, August 12 in Manila) at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
Justin Brownlee once again showed his ‘Never Say Die’ attitude after drilling a contested three-pointer with 3.7 seconds left to force the extra period. He went on to finish with 29 points, five assists, and four rebounds, paving the way for a quarterfinal showdown with two-time defending champion Australia on Wednesday, August 13.
Brownlee’s heroics set the stage for Kevin Quiambao, who buried two triples in OT to complete a 17-point performance alongside three dimes and three deflections.
"It was a special game, it was a special performance from both teams," said head coach Tim Cone. "They (Saudi Arabia) posed a lot of problems for us, and by all rights, they had the game won — except for the guy sitting to my right (Brownlee). If you know his history, that’s not unusual. He’s been hitting big shots."
AJ Edu anchored the middle with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists, while Dwight Ramos chipped in 13 markers, 10 boards, three dimes, and a rejection.
Beyond Brownlee’s late-game magic, the Philippines secured the win by neutralizing Saudi Arabia’s high-scoring duo of Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman and Mohammed Alsuwailem in the extra frame.
Abdur-Rahkman erupted for 33 points on 8-of-14 shooting from deep, while Alsuwailem tallied 26 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks — but the two combined for only five points in OT as Gilas closed the door on the hosts’ upset bid.
The Scores:
Philippines 95 – Brownlee 29, Edu 17, Quiambao 17, Ramos 13, Fajardo 6, Tamayo 5, Thompson 4, Newsome 4, Malonzo 0, Perez 0, Aguilar 0.
Saudi Arabia 88 – Abdur-Rahkman 33, Alsuwailem 26, Almuwallad 10, Abdel Gabar 8, Ma. Almarwani 4, Belal 3, Kadi 3, Mo. Almarwani 1, Shubayli 0.
Quarters: 25-15, 40-37, 60-59, 79-79 (reg.), 95-88 (OT).