Pistons vs Knicks: Injuries, streaks collide in key early test — SkimNews
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- Jalen Duren suffered a right hamstring strain and will miss at least two weeks, sidelining the Pistons' All-Star center who signed a $200 million extension before the season.
- Detroit Pistons remain unbeaten at 3-0 despite Duren's absence, winning in Philadelphia 106-93 without him, though the Sixers were resting Joel Embiid and VJ Edgecombe.
- Ausar Thompson and Isaiah Joe are questionable for Detroit due to ankle and hip injuries, respectively, compounding the Pistons' injury woes on the front end of a back-to-back.
- New York Knicks have dropped to 0-3 following a 111-102 home loss to Orlando, becoming the first defending NBA champions to start 0-3 since the 2011-12 Dallas Mavericks.
- Jalen Brunson struggled offensively in the loss to Orlando, shooting 12-for-28 from the field and 1-for-7 from three, while Mikal Bridges is averaging just 3.3 points on 21.7% shooting.
- Karl-Anthony Towns has emerged as a bright spot for the Knicks early in the season, playing with urgency as he approaches a contract year.
Why it matters: The Pistons’ unbeaten record faces its toughest test without Duren and potentially two more starters, while the Knicks risk tying a historic low for defending champions at 0-4; a loss would drop their season win total projection further and deepen concerns about offensive consistency beyond Towns.
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