That dude was tough to play against. He’s big-time. I told him straight to his face," Knicks' Jalen Brunson said of Pistons' Ausar Thompson in Game 6.

Jalen Brunson was the Knicks' hero and the Pistons' villain, a role further emphasized by his huge three-pointer to all but seal New York's closeout victory in the opening round of the NBA playoffs. His crafty foul-drawing tactics drew the ire of fans in Detroit and made for an abrasive relationship between the star guard and the Pistons' passionate fanbase.

Throughout his series against the New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons star Ausar Thompson showed fans that he is one of the best young defenders in the league. But one minor misstep on Thursday cost him and his team dearly.