Cunningham scores 36, Pistons top Knicks 115-106 in possible preview of 1st-round playoff matchup

DETROIT (AP) — Cade Cunningham had 36 points and eight assists, lifting the Detroit Pistons to a 115-106 win over the New York Knicks on Thursday night in a possible preview of a first-round matchup in the NBA playoffs.

New York was without starters OG Anunoby (thumb) and Josh Hart (knee) due to injuries and failed to clinch the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.

All-Star guard Jalen Brunson briefly left the game late in the third quarter after rolling his left ankle but returned to finish with 15 points, missing 10 of 15 shots.

The Knicks led for much of the game, but sixth-place Detroit outscored them by nine in the fourth quarter.

Jalen Duren had 18 points and 13 rebounds, making all nine shots. Tobias Harris scored 17 points and rookie Ron Holland had 13.

New York's Karl-Anthony Towns scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Precious Achiuwa took advantage of opportunities on a short-handed team and scored 18 points.

Knicks: P.J. Tucker, a 39-year-old forward, was signed earlier this month and knocked off some rust in his second game of the season by playing 27 minutes and scoring three points.

Pistons: While the team has smashed modest expectations this season to earn a postseason bid for the first time since 2019, it needed a confidence-boosting win after losing four of its last four games.

Dennis Schroder had a three-point play with 54.7 seconds left, giving Detroit an eight-point lead.

Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff lamented how the team has been rebounding lately and it responded by beating the Knicks on the boards by one and scoring 16 second-chance points.

New York hosts Cleveland on Friday night and makes a short trip to Brooklyn on Sunday while Detroit plays Milwaukee at home Friday night and on the road Sunday, wrapping up the regular season.

New York Knicks guard Miles McBride, left, defends against a shotort by Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) reacts after being called for a foul by referee Sha'Rae Mitchell, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau shouts at an official during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

New York Knicks forward Precious Achiuwa (5) goes to the basket past Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart (28) and guard Malik Beasley, center, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff shouts at an official during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

McKINNEY, Texas (AP) — The Byron Nelson has resumed after a six-hour weather delay with Scottie Scheffler halfway through his second round and still holding the two-shot lead that the hometown favorite had to start the day.

Play was halted Friday morning shortly after Scheffler made a 10-foot eagle putt on the par-5 18th hole to get to 12-under and break a tie with another University of Texas alum, Jhonattan Vegas of Venezuela.

The event was stopped because of lightning before drenching, hours-long rain hit the TPC Craig Ranch course for the second time in three days.

Scheffler opened with a 10-under 61 on Thursday and had parred his first eight holes of the second round starting on the back nine. His approach on 18 landed within a few feet of the pin and settled above the hole.

Patton Kizzire and Will Gordon, who both opened with 64s, were 2 under for the day and three shots behind Scheffler when the weather delay hit.

Rico Hoey, the early first-round leader who was tied with Vegas at 8 under to start the second round, had an afternoon tee time. Defending champion Taylor Pendrith was 2 over for the day through eight holes and 2 under for tournament and in danger of missing the cut.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Scottie Scheffler stands on the 16th green during the first round of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson golf tournament in McKinney, Texas, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)