Baptism by Fire: Pistons Getting Used to the Playoffs

If there’s one way to describe the Detroit Pistons’ first two playoff games since 2019, it’s baptism by fire. Game 1 was a harsh reintroduction to postseason basketball, as the Pistons held their own for most of the night before a crushing 21-0 Knicks run in the fourth quarter led to a 123-112 loss at Madison Square Garden.

But Game 2 told a different story. Monday night, the Pistons withstood another furious Knicks comeback to gut out a 100-94 win and even the series. Cade Cunningham rose to the occasion with 33 points and 12 rebounds, while Dennis Schröder provided a steadying presence off the bench with 20 points. As the series shifts to Detroit, momentum is on the Pistons’ side. So what have we learned—and what still needs tweaking?

Baptism by Fire: Pistons Getting Used to the Playoffs

The Pistons’ Veterans Prove Their Value

When the young core struggled, the veterans, pillars of the Pistons’ season, answered the call. Tobias Harris led the charge, averaging 20.0 points and 9.5 rebounds through two games. Often criticized for playoff inconsistency, Harris has looked poised and confident, intent on flipping the script on his postseason narrative.

Alongside him, Schröder, Malik Beasley, and Tim Hardaway Jr. helped carry the offensive load. Collectively, the veteran quartet has scored 116 of Detroit’s 212 total points so far, precisely the kind of leadership and production the Pistons’ front office hoped for when assembling this group.

To keep pace in this series, their consistency will be non-negotiable. One strong performance won’t be enough—not against a battle-tested Knicks team that thrives on momentum swings and capitalizing on lapses. The Pistons need their veterans to continue their contributions on offense and their young players to stay disciplined.   In the playoffs, moments are fleeting and windows close quickly—consistency keeps the door open.

Playoff Debuts Test Pistons’ Young Core

The Pistons don’t want these playoff games to end with the storyline: “If only our guys had stayed on the floor…” Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson are difference-makers when they’re active. Duren’s strength on the glass and ability to finish inside (12 points, 13 rebounds in Game 2) give the Pistons much-needed interior presence. Meanwhile, Thompson’s athleticism and defensive energy are tailor-made for playoff basketball.

But foul trouble limited both players and dulled their impact. Thompson especially struggled to stay on the court in Game 2. Their challenge now is to remain disciplined and engaged and give themselves a chance to change the game from within.

Embracing The Spotlight

Everything is louder in the playoffs. The lights don’t dim. The crowd doesn’t let up. Every possession is scrutinized, every mistake magnified, every moment heightened. All season, the Pistons quietly built confidence outside the glare of national attention. But that luxury is gone.

Game 1’s collapse didn’t define them—it tested them. And in Game 2, they answered. The Pistons stayed composed when the Knicks surged. They made timely plays. That maturity, especially from a young squad, will be essential as the series shifts to Detroit. The pressure will follow them home, and the spotlight will grow brighter.

But this is what playoff basketball is about. The Pistons can’t shy away—they must lean in, embrace the moment, and prove they belong on this stage. Not someday, not down the road, NOW.

The Last Word

The first two games of this playoff series have been nothing short of a baptism by fire for the Detroit Pistons. From the scorching heat of Madison Square Garden to the relentless pace and physicality of playoff basketball, Detroit’s young squad was thrown straight into the flames. Game 1 exposed their inexperience, tested their composure, and demanded more. Game 2, however, revealed something just as important—resilience. This is a sign that the Pistons are getting used to the playoffs and have a real chance to win the series.

In the face of adversity, the Pistons didn’t flinch. They regrouped, responded, and showed that their youth is matched with potential. Cade Cunningham rose to the occasion, the veterans held the line, and Jalen Duren started to find his footing. Yes, there were fouls, lapses, and growing pains—but that’s the point of the fire. It doesn’t just burn, it refines, hardens, and prepares.

This series is far from over, and the pressure will only intensify. But if the Pistons can continue learning from the fire and turn each mistake into experience and each moment into growth, then this baptism might be the beginning of something special. The fire has been lit. Now, it’s up to them to rise from it, forged and ready.