The Knicks got their first win of the 2026-27 season on Tuesday night, beating the Pistons 111-97 at Madison Square Garden. Karl-Anthony Towns had 27 points and 20 rebounds. The Associated Press, carried by Sportsnet and ESPN, said the win kept New York from what would have been the second 0-4 start by a defending champion in NBA history. It also ended Detroit's unbeaten start.

The game turned in the third quarter. Deadspin reported that Towns scored 13 of his game-high 27 points during a decisive third-quarter run, and the box score backs that up. New York won the period 37-13 after Detroit had led the first quarter 38-25. The Knicks' largest lead was 27 points, and they led for 60 percent of the game. Yahoo Sports described it as an easy win after a slow start.

Towns shot 12 of 21 and grabbed 8 offensive rebounds, but he also had 7 turnovers. Jalen Brunson scored 23 on 5-of-18 shooting, with 13 of 16 from the line. New York shot 23 of 28 on free throws to Detroit's 14 of 24, and hit 12 threes to Detroit's 9. The Knicks also had 19 offensive rebounds to the Pistons' 15.

Posting and Toasting singled out Josh Hart, who took two shots and made both. Its recap called the second one a clutch bomb that kept a blowout from turning into an uncomfortable final two minutes. The box score shows both were threes. He finished with 6 points, 5 steals and a team-best +19 in 27 minutes. Paul Reed led Detroit with 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting. Cade Cunningham had 19 points and 8 assists on 7-of-18 shooting.

The records need a caveat. Posting and Toasting lists New York at 1-3 and Detroit at 3-1, which fits the AP's "0-4" framing. BenchScout's tables show the Knicks at 1-2 and the Pistons at 2-1, and they have no result for Detroit's Oct. 23 game at Miami. The tables do show the Knicks' recent losses: 111-102 to Orlando on Sunday and 106-100 to Philadelphia on Oct. 20. Detroit had won at Philadelphia on Sunday, 106-93, and beat Boston 121-113 on Oct. 20. We are using the outlets' records in the story until our archive catches up.

Both teams play again Wednesday. New York is at Chicago, and Detroit hosts Charlotte. The Knicks then visit Philadelphia on Friday, Oct. 30.