NBA Roundup: Pistons Clinch Playoffs, Hawks Streak Ends & Knicks Dominate Nets

The Houston Rockets ended the Atlanta Hawks’ 11-game winning streak with a decisive 117-95 victory on Friday, while the Detroit Pistons clinched their first NBA playoff berth since 2019 with a 115-101 win over the Golden State Warriors.

In Houston, Kevin Durant led the Rockets with 25 points and 6 assists, as they took control of the game in the second quarter and extended their lead in the third. The Hawks, who had been on a remarkable run, struggled to contain the Rockets’ offense. French player Zacharie Risacher contributed 16 points and 6 rebounds for Atlanta in the loss.

The Rockets’ win improves their record to 42-27, positioning them fourth in the Western Conference. They hold a narrow lead over the Denver Nuggets (43-28), who defeated the Toronto Raptors 121-115, fueled by Jamal Murray’s 31 points, and the Minnesota Timberwolves (43-28), who fell to the Portland Trail Blazers 108-104 despite a double-double performance from Rudy Gobert (18 points, 15 rebounds).

Meanwhile, in Detroit, Jalen Duren scored 23 points as the Pistons secured their 51st win of the season, guaranteeing a spot in the playoffs. Detroit achieved this milestone despite being without All-Star guard Cade Cunningham, who is sidelined for at least two weeks with a collapsed lung. Ausar Thompson recorded seven of the Pistons’ 16 steals, and the team forced 26 turnovers from the Warriors, converting those into 32 points.

The Golden State Warriors, still without Stephen Curry due to a knee injury, continue to slide in the Western Conference standings, currently holding the 10th position with a 33-37 record. They maintain a comfortable margin over the 11th-placed New Orleans Pelicans (25-46).

In a separate contest, the New York Knicks defeated the Brooklyn Nets 93-92, extending their dominance in the New York “city series” with their 14th consecutive win against their cross-town rivals. Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with 26 points and 15 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson added 17 points and 8 assists. Rookie Mohamed Diawara contributed 8 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists for New York. Nolan Traoré, another French rookie, started for the Nets and finished with 11 points and 7 assists.