Dennis Schroder excelling as Pistons pest against Knicks: ‘Just be who I am’

DETROIT — Dennis Schröder has been a pest to the Knicks all series.

He had 14 points, three assists and a steal in 22 minutes off the bench in the Knicks’ 106-103 Game 5 loss to the Pistons on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.

Five of those points came in the fourth quarter.

For the series, Schröder is averaging 13.2 points per game with stellar shooting — 52.3 percent from the field and 52.9 percent from 3-point range.

And when Ausar Thompson checks out, Schröder has usually taken on the role of guarding Jalen Brunson.

Compared to the tall and lengthy Thompson, Schröder provides Brunson with a smaller, quicker look.

New York Knicks guard Miles McBride defends against Detroit Pistons guard Dennis Schroder. JASON SZENES/ NY POST

And he’s having more fun with the Pistons than he’s had in years.

He spent parts of the past two seasons with the Nets, who traded him to the Warriors in December.

He played 24 games for the Warriors before they traded him as part of the three-team deal to acquire Jimmy Butler, sending him to the Pistons.

Detroit has been a perfect fit for Schröder, and the Pistons are benefitting from the pairing as well.

Follow The Post’s coverage of the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Playoffs

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“I love Brooklyn. Played there, played great. They wanted to go a different route,” Schröder said. “Went to Golden State, met incredible people and then came to Detroit. I think Detroit is one of the best situations I’ve been in. I don’t have to change my style of play, I can be myself. I got a coach who is going at the refs, who is not taking no crap. I’m like that. That’s the reason I’m in the league for 12 years. I’m 6-foot-1, I’ve got to find my way somehow. I love that I don’t have to change myself and I can just be who I am. My teammates embrace me. I just try to help every game.”

Pistons guard Dennis Schroder (17) drives past Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) in the second quarter during Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Beyond his on-court production, the 31-year-old Schröder has provided valuable veteran leadership to a young Pistons core, particularly to Cade Cunningham.

Of the nine Pistons who played in Game 5, four are 23 or younger.

“Just talking as much as we can, bring them together,” Schröder said. “Every dead ball, come together, making sure I talk to Cade. Cade, he’s one of the best players in the world. Keep talking to him, see the stuff that I see. Just try to teach him and encourage him. He did it tonight, he controlled the whole game. Every time he was stepping on the court, he was controlling the game.”