Reeling Knicks ‘gotta respond’ after drubbing by Pistons

DETROIT — The New York Knicks arrived in Detroit expecting a showdown between the East’s top teams, but left after an ordeal in search of answers.

The East-leading Pistons handed the Knicks their fourth straight loss in a 121-90 drubbing Monday night at Little Caesars Arena in a rematch of their thrilling first-round series last spring.

That night, Jalen Brunson was enigmatic, while Karl-Anthony Towns reminded everyone that he had to make the biggest adjustment with the new coaching staff in place.

“A lot of things need to be worked out,” Knicks guard Jalen Brunson said.

Brunson declined to elaborate on what he meant, but when asked if the team members had any discussions among themselves before the media were allowed in, he said, “Yes, a little bit.”

He continued.

“We just have to respond. There’s a lot left to say. We’re keeping that internal,” he said. “If we want to be the team we say we want to be, we have to be better, it’s as simple as that.”

Brunson led the Knicks with 25 points, but had no assists and six turnovers – matched by Towns – while the Knicks had 20 total. Towns, who played just 23 minutes and was minus-27, said “like [coach] Microphone [Brown] said, I am the great sacrifice.

“It’s cool to be in the funk, [stuff] It happens over the course of a season,” Towns said. “But it’s a really bad time. You can’t be that bad.”

The Knicks didn’t lose four games in a row last season, with their longest losing streak stopping at three games. Their 23-13 record is one game behind last season’s 24-12 record, and with the loss, the Boston Celtics overtook them for second place in the Eastern Conference.

The Knicks’ team defense has faltered in the absence of swingman Josh Hart, as it has gone from being middle of the pack to allowing opponents to gash it recently. The Philadelphia 76ers scored 130 against the Knicks on Saturday and the San Antonio Spurs scored 134 on New Year’s Eve.

“It’s pretty simple,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “They just physically kicked our ass.”

Brown didn’t allow the Knicks’ schedule excuse — it was their third game in four nights — to nullify the performance. Detroit played at Cleveland on Sunday afternoon and missed two starters, Jalen Duren and Tobias Harris, as well as reserve Caris LeVert.

“Everything is on the table right now for us defensively,” Brown said. “We have to find a solution, we have to do it physically, but we as a team have to continue to find ways to help this group.”

Brown emphasized that “this is not the time to panic,” but this follows Knicks owner James Dolan’s statements on New York radio earlier in the day saying he expected the Knicks to reach the NBA Finals.

The Knicks looked like anything but an NBA runner-up in what could be a conference finals preview.

The Pistons outshot the Knicks 44-30 and shot over 50 percent from the field and the 3-point line. Cade Cunningham had one of his most complete games of the season with 29 points, 13 assists, three rebounds and two blocks – and was serenaded by chants of “MVP” from the home faithful several times throughout the evening.

“We have to come together,” reserve guard Miles McBride said. “I don’t know if it’s an effort, an effort. I don’t know if it’s X’s and O’s. We have to be on the same page. [defensively].

“Coaches can draw whatever they want, but we as a team have to understand it and rely on our leaders.”