NBA: Dennis Schröder threatens playoff exit with Detroit Pistons

Basketball world champion Dennis Schröder and the Detroit Pistons are facing an early exit from the NBA playoffs. The Pistons suffered a dramatic last-minute loss in Game 4 of their first-round series against the New York Knicks, 93-94 (43-50). The Pistons are now down 1-3 in the best-of-even series. The Knicks need one more win to advance, and they also have home-court advantage.

New York, led by Jalen Brunson (32 points) and Karl-Anthony Towns (27), dominated the first half and led by as many as 16 points. The Pistons then turned the game around in the third quarter.

Cade Cunningham, in particular, gained momentum, scoring the majority of his 25 points after the break and also posting a triple-double with ten rebounds and ten assists. However, the 23-year-old also committed seven turnovers. Schröder, coming off the bench, was unable to make much of an impact offensively (six points, two assists), but showed a taut defensive display, including three possessions.

Shortly before the end of the third quarter, he carelessly gave away two points because he didn't pay attention to the clock after winning the ball. This would ultimately come back to haunt Detroit, as they couldn't hold on to their eleven-point lead in the final quarter. In the final minute, New York turned the game around with a three-pointer from Towns. The Pistons couldn't find a response in a wild final sequence.

RND/dpa