Knicks’ ‘problematic’ rebounding was a microcosm of their Game 2 disaster

The Pistons slightly edged the Knicks on the glass in Game 1.

Game 2 was a different story.

It wasn’t close.

Detroit outrebounded the Knicks by 14, a key part of their series-equaling 100-94 victory at the Garden on Monday night.

“The rebounding was problematic the whole night, so that’s probably the whole game,” coach Tom Thibodeau said.

Twelve offensive rebounds led to 13 Pistons second-chance points and Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Tobias Harris each had double figures in boards.

It was a microcosm of the Knicks performance.

Karl-Anthony Towns and Cade Cunningham fight for a rebound during
Game 2 on April 21. Jason Szenes for the NY Post

Ausar Thompson jumps for a rebound during the Knicks’ loss to the Pistons in Game 2 on April 21. Jason Szenes for the NY Post

Outside of a late rally in the fourth quarter, they were outworked by Detroit.

“We just didn’t get those 50/50 basketballs,” Karl-Anthony Towns said. “They did a great job of getting those and they did a great job of finding those long rebounds in different ways. They obviously knew after Game 1 that they had to come out with more intensity and we had to match it and we just didn’t tonight.”

During the regular season, both teams were in the top 10 in rebounding percentage.

The Pistons were fifth and the Knicks ninth.

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Through two games, Detroit is winning the battle.

Pistons defensive stalwart Isaiah Stewart didn’t play in Monday night’s Game 2 and his status moving forward is unclear.

Stewart was listed as questionable with right knee inflammation ahead of Game 2 before being reported as “out” roughly two hours before the game.

It’s a major loss for the Pistons, who rely on Stewart to be their air traffic controller on defense.

Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Stewart’s availability will be determined on a “day-by-day” basis.

Stewart had limped into the playoffs as the same right knee issue sidelined him for the Pistons’ final two regular-season games.

A product of upstate Rochester, Stewart labored through most of his 19 minutes of action in Game 1.

He was seen wincing after an alley-oop dunk in the first quarter.

He appeared to be dealing with discomfort in his right leg before he checked out for the final time at the 9:06 mark of the fourth quarter.

SNY reported that Stewart underwent imagining on his right leg Saturday night.

Paul Reed replaced Stewart in Detroit’s rotation and contributed six points and a block in 11 minutes.