LAS VEGAS — Now that WrestleMania 41 has come to a close, it’s time to deal with the fallout.

The ‘new year’ in WWE is already underway less than 24 hours after its signature event ended as Raw serves as the starting point for the next season in wrestling. The show after the two-day event has become so popular, it’s commonly referred to as the Raw After WrestleMania.

Plenty of things that were discussed or dealt with as WrestleMania weekend comes to a close in the Sin City. After capturing the Undisputed WWE Championship in the main event, John Cena revealed his plans for the final year, and an old rival awaits him. Plus, after the shocking finish in night one, when Paul Heyman turned on CM Punk and Roman Reigns by helping Seth Rollins win, all three stars met. And it wasn’t all, as someone else has joined the heated rivalry.

Roman Reigns appears

That wasn’t all. The Tribal Chief comes out to confront Rollins and Heyman. Reigns hits a spear on Rollins before landing a Superman punch on Heyman. He’s about to spear Heyman until someone in a sweater emerges and spears Reigns. It turns out to be Bron Breakker, who then spears CM Punk and aligns himself with Rollins in a stunning moment.

Breakker then runs around the ring and spears Reigns through the barricade. Rollins then delivered a stomp to Punk and Reigns to end the show.

Analysis: There’s more than one Paul Heyman guy. The shocker of the night is Breakker is also in with Rollins, forming a powerful duo as the two try to take over WWE. Reigns and Punk are clearly outnumbered, a tag team match at Backlash is likely coming between all of the parties involved.

CM Punk, Seth Rollins fight

Rollins only got a few words in before CM Punk emerged and the two immediately fought. After he put Rollins down, Punk turned around and grabbed Heyman. However, Rollins got him off and delivered a curb stomp to Punk.

‘We’re going to conclude the weekend of WrestleMania 41,’ Heyman said. ‘There is a new reigning, defending, undisputed No. 1 top star in this entire industry. Ladies and gentlemen, Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins.’

Seth Rollins, Paul Heyman make first appearance since shocking WrestleMania moment

‘I took the Wiseman from Roman Reigns. I stole CM Punk’s best friend. I am the winner of the main event of WrestleMania,’ Rollins said.

Watch: Seth Rollins makes entrance with Paul Heyman

Intercontinental Championship match: Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. Penta

The now crowd favorite Mysterio faced his first title defense in Penta, and both stars were each getting praise as they started the match. Mysterio even tied Penta’s mask to the ropes as he celebrated more.

There were plenty shifts of momentum as The Judgment Day members Finn Balor and Carlito watched ringside. After taking a Mexican Destroyer, Mysterio went out of the ring and Balor went to check on him. When he did, Penta launched himself into Balor to hit Mysterio.

Mysterio got back in the ring and Penta set up for the win, but JD McDonagh returned to shove Penta as the referee wasn’t looking. It set Mysterio up to get the 619 and frog splash on Penta to retain his title.

Analysis: Maybe things are alright in The Judgment Day. McDonagh makes his first appearance since January and he was warmly embraced by the rest of his stablemates as they celebrated. However, Balor looked a little shocked, as if his plan to take the title away from Mysterio won’t be easy. The division is happening at some point, but it will be more complex with The Judgment Day now back at full strength.

Gunther attacks Pat McAfee, Michael Cole

Upset from his loss to Jey Uso, Gunther came out demanding respect. Then he turned his attention to the commentary crew, which has long rooted for Uso. Gunther shoved Cole and McAfee and put Cole in a sleeper hold. However, McAfee came to the rescue to break it up.

Gunther wasn’t done though. He put McAfee in a sleeper hold as “The Pat McAfee Show” crew came from out of the crowd to try to help their leader. However, Gunther had a stronghold on McAfee and held on for several minutes as the commentator was knocked out.

Gunther eventually let go and he received heavy boos, and McAfee was able to get on his feet as he was taken to the locker room by the medical staff. Cole escorted McAfee as he tried to catch his breath.

Later, Cole scolded Raw general manager Adam Pearce for letting this happen. He went back out to the announcer’s table as he received praise. He now is joined by Joe Tessitore on commentary.

AJ Styles, Karrion Kross face off

After putting on one of the best promos in recent memory, Kross confronted Styles about the loss to Logan Paul at WrestleMania. With plenty of support now from WWE fans, Kross said Styles ruined his chance. Styles then told him to do something about it, which Cross responded with “maybe I will.”

Sami Zayn joins Jey Uso

After Uso expresses how glad he is to finally be the World Heavyweight Champion, his longtime friend Zami Zayn makes his first appearance since Elimination Chamber in February. Zayn and Uso embrace each other.

‘I am proud of you, and you deserve it,’ Zayn tells Uso.

Jimmy Uso then came out and they all did their handshake back from their days in The Bloodline as the celebration continued.

Jey Uso makes first entrance as World Heavyweight Champion

The new World Heavy-yeet champion has arrived. Uso and the crowd celebrate his biggest championship victory. As he made it to the ring, the fans gave him the ‘you deserve it’ chant.

Iyo Sky vs. Stephanie Vaquer

Fans were excited for the impromptu match between two of the most talented champions, and the bout began with some mind games from both sides. Understanding the talent each possessed, it went from an excited feeling from the two to the intensity getting raised.

Both stars went airborne outside of the ring, with Vaquer getting the first real advantage of the fight. Sky battled back as the two made it to the top turnbuckle before she launched Vaquer off. The Women’s World Champion finally had a rhythm and was rolling, including a perfect flying dropkick. She went for the Over the Moonsault to get the win, but it didn’t hit, allowing Vaquer to get back into control. Vaquer then hit her signature faceplate move, much to the crowd’s pleasure.

Sky recovered quickly enough to nearly get a rollup pin before each star traded blows, matching whatever the other did. The two met at the top turnbuckle once again and performed a spectacular move that took them both out.

The match was in its closing stages before Roxanne Perez came and pulled off a sneak attack on Sky. Shortly thereafter, Giulia came out. Perez and Giulia attacked the champions before Rhea Ripley emerged and had a stare down with Giulia. The tension was palpable before Giulia and Perez exited together. Ripley then picked up the Women’s World title and gave it back to Sky as a sign of respect.

Analysis: What a great performance put up by the champions. Once a match was announced, everyone knew it would be good and lived up to the expectation. It was smart to have interference happen in the match so neither star took a pin, therefore protecting them from losing some steam.

In the NXT side, Guilia and Perez seem to have formed a union and could be coming for Vaquer. Ripley came out and showed respect to Sky, symbolically ending her chance of going after the title. It’s an interesting moment because now we will have to wait and see where Ripley goes from here with no title shot coming soon.

Stephanie Vaquer makes unexpected appearance

The Women’s NXT Champion makes her way to congratulate Sky for her win before introducing herself to her.

‘I want to come out here to show you respect,’ Vaquer said.

She added she wants to fight the best of the best, and Sky accepted her challenge for a match at that moment. Raw general manager Adam Pearce came out and confirmed the match to happen.

Iyo Sky appears after epic WrestleMania 41 win

After winning arguably the best match of WrestleMania 41, the Women’s World Champion entered the ring to a rounding applause from the crowd.

‘Last night was the best night of my career,’ Sky said. ‘I am over the moon.’

Rusev returns

The first shocker of the night happens. Raw After WrestleMania is indeed Rusev day.

Rusev is back in WWE for the first time since 2020 after his departure from All Elite Wrestling. Rusev came out to excitement from the crowd as he prevented a World Tag Team Championship match from happening. He attacked Alpha Academy as the crowd chanted ‘Rusev Day.’

The New Day appear

The new World Tag Team Champions told people to get on their knees and respect them for getting gold back on their hands. They said no other tag team compares to them, and that’s when Alpha Academy came out. Maxxine Dupri mentioned Otis and Akira Tozawa had beaten them recently, so they deserved a shot.

After initially passing on it, Dupri asked if the champions were scared. Kingston rebuffed, and said to have the match now.

Chad Gable praises El Grande Americano

Gable said he ‘watched’ El Grande Americano at WrestleMania 41 and loved seeing him emerge victorious. He said the luchador isn’t at Raw, but he will be back soon.

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match: Lyra Valkyria and Becky Lynch (c) vs. Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez

Frustrated with the loss at WrestleMania, Morgan wasted zero time unleashing an attack on Lynch. Morgan went with a flurry of moves to get ahead, but a sneaky pin from Valkyria got her in the match and able to change the momentum. The Women’s Intercontinental Champion went to work on both Morgan and Rodriguez in and out of the ring.

As Valkyria was rolling, Rodriguez shoved her partner into their opponent to stop the roll. From there, the challengers went to work as Valkyria tried to get the tag. She was able to dropkick Rodriguez and tag Lynch in, and ‘The Man’ teed off on Morgan. Lynch was cruising toward a pin until Rodriguez stopped it from happening. The challengers then had their best opportunity when Morgan hit a powerbomb on Lynch and Rodriguez did a flying powerbomb on Valkyria. It looked to be enough, but Valkyria kicked out.

After Rodriguez and Lynch tried to help out their partners, Valkyria wasn’t looking when Morgan set her up for ObLIVion. She executed it and got the pin to get the titles back one day after losing them.

With the reign suddenly over, Lynch turned on Valkyria by attacking and berating her for losing the titles.She hit her with multiple Manhandle Slams in an act of pure aggression.

Analysis: Things escalated quickly. Lynch and Valkyrie’s reign doesn’t even last 24 hours as Morgan and Rodriguez win their titles back. It makes sense since the title win was done only to bring Lynch back, and now Morgan and Rodriguez can say they are four-time tag team champions.

But then the post-match attack happened. Lynch suddenly showed her dark side on someone that was her friend. Valkyria looked confused and sad before she fell victim to several punches. This likely leads to Lynch challenging Valkyria for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship soon.

Randy Orton hits an RKO on John Cena

We got another edition of a classic rivalry coming up.

After Cena told fans to take a picture of the last real champion in WWE, Randy Orton emerged to hit an RKO out of nowhere on the champion. He stood over Cena and held the Undisputed WWE Championship up.

Nothing else was said, but we know what’s next: it’ll be Cena vs. Orton for the title, and it’s likely to happy at Backlash in St. Louis, Orton’s hometown.

John Cena speaks

After getting an introduction from Mark Shunock, Cena takes the microphone with the words, ‘winners write history.’

The crowd cheers for Cena, but he dismisses it. He believes it’s not a good relationship since the crowd cheered during his downfall less than a week ago, so it’s not allowed to celebrate his championship victory.

‘You don’t mean anything to me,’ Cena said as the crowd chanted an expletive. ‘Your noise means nothing to me.’

Cena reminded the fans he had 36 dates during his farewell tour, and after tonight, there’s only 27 appearance left for him in 2025.

‘You say I cant’ wrestle? I don’t have to,’ Cena said. ‘When that hits zero, the professional wrestling timeline stops.’

Cena said he knows wrestling will continue after he leaves, but he will be going out with the actual WWE Championship. He will be the final champion and no one else will have it.

‘There is no one with strength, speed, wisdom or ruthless aggression of John Cena,’ he added.

John Cena kicks off show

The new Undisputed WWE Champion gets Raw going, making his entrance as the crowd goes crazy. Cena is wearing the title on his waist backward. He makes his way to the ring and raises the title in the air as the pyro goes off.

What time is WWE Raw After WrestleMania?

Raw After WrestleMania 41 is on Monday, April 21 at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT).

How to watch WWE Raw After WrestleMania

• Date: Monday, April 21
• Time: 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT)
• Stream: Netflix

Is Monday Night Raw on Peacock?

No, WWE Raw is exclusively on Netflix.

Where is WWE Raw After WrestleMania?

SmackDown will take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Raw After WrestleMania match card, scheduled events

After winning on WrestleMania 41 night two, Cena said he will be part of the show, unveiling his plan to ruin wrestling.

Matches include:

• WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match: Lyra Valkyria and Becky Lynch (c) vs. Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez.
• Intercontinental Championship match: Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. Penta.

Also scheduled to appear are World Heavyweight Champion Jey Uso, Seth Rollins and Paul Heyman.

This will be updated when WWE announces the card.

How long is Monday Night Raw?

Monday Night Raw does not have a set time on Netflix. However, it typically runs from two and a half to three hours long.

WrestleMania 41 winners

Here’s a list of everyone that won at WrestleMania 41:

• Jey Uso (Wins World Heavyweight Championship).
• The New Day (Win World Tag Team Championship).
• Jade Cargill.
• Jacob Fatu (Wins United States Championship).
• El Grande Americano.
• Tiffany Stratton (Retains WWE Women’s Championship).
• Seth Rollins.
• Iyo Sky (Retains Women’s World Championship).
• Drew McInytre.
• Dominik Mysterio (Wins Intercontinental Championship).
• Randy Orton.
• Logan Paul.
• Lyra Valkyria and Becky Lynch (Win Women’s Tag Team Championship).
• John Cena (Wins Undisputed WWE Championship).

WrestleMania 41 night one results

The first night of WrestleMania ended with a stunning moment. See everything that happened, including highlights and analysis, from Saturday here.

WrestleMania 41 night two results

Incredible matches took place on WrestleMania night two, capped by the main event between Cena and Rhodes. See what transpired, from highlights to analysis, on Sunday here.

John Cena mastering farewell tour

After John Cena defeated Cody Rhodes in the main event of WrestleMania 41 to capture hisrecord 17th WWE Championship, he didn’t give an answer to any questions about the victory. Questions about The Rock or whether he’ll smile were met with ‘that seems like clickbait.’

So in the final question, a USA TODAY Sports reporter asked Cena about what was going through his head as he made WWE history, if he felt reminiscent of everything he’s accomplished over his storied career and what it’s like separating himself as the most decorated WWE star.

Simple enough right? Think again.

‘You know, that seems like a clickbait question,’ Cena told USA TODAY Sports. ‘I’m beginning to sense a pattern here that you guys are just looking for headlines.

‘Keep in mind you are now talking to the last real champion. Step your game up next time,’ he added.

It’s a response good enough to hurt the ego, but it’s a reminder that in his final act, Cena is still at the top of his game.  

Read more about Cena’s final WrestleManiahere.

Seth Rollins steals the show at WrestleMania again

Ahead of WrestleMania 41, Paul Heyman was asked by USA TODAY Sports who needed to win the triple threat match between Roman Reigns, CM Punk and Seth Rollins in the main event of night one. 

The WWE Hall of Famer said he could go in front of the Supreme Court and spend hours advocating why each star should win. It was easy – and it makes sense – for him to make a case for the two stars he’s represented in his career. He said it would be unfathomable for Reigns not to win, and he could say with 100% certainty Punk needed to be victorious.

And then there was Rollins. Even though he hadn’t been his advocate, Heyman said Rollins would need a victory ‘or everything falls apart.’

What is everything? We found out on WrestleMania 41 night one.

Read more about Rollins’ signature momenthere.

There’s a whole lot of buzz about running backs as the clock ticks toward the NFL Draft. And so many reasons for the hype.

Perhaps Jeanty – instead of unicorn Travis Hunter, projected No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders or QB-seeking edge rusher Abdul Carter – will ultimately prove to be the biggest prize of the draft that kicks off in Green Bay on Thursday night.

Maybe. Maybe not. That’s part of the intrigue. Mock drafts will soon get flushed down the toilet and in time the wisdom (or lack thereof) by decision-makers will be revealed.

Then there’s the Saquon Barkley factor. The New York Giants, who picked Barkley No. 2 overall in 2018, deemed him too expensive to keep over since-released quarterback Daniel Jones. Too bad. Barkley took his talents to the Philadelphia Eagles last season and with a Super Bowl trophy now in the mix, added quite a layer to the debate about running back value…while the G-men without him were bad enough to secure the third pick.

With Barkley’s fresh impact, it sure seems like a good time to be a stud running back.

What’s a running back worth? That’s still a riveting subplot for this draft, 30 years since the Cincinnati Bengals made Ki-Jana Carter the last running back taken No. 1 overall. Sure, quarterback is football’s most important position. Yet, as amplified each January on the road to the Super Bowl, impact running backs are so essential to the mission.

The value is embodied by examples such as Barkley, Derrick Henry, Bijan Robinson, Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara.

And here’s something else to consider: While running backs increasingly take on a larger role in the passing game, the NFL just had a season with its fewest passing attempts per game (32.7) by teams since 2008. Meanwhile, although running quarterbacks account for some of this, the 119.8 rushing yards per game were second-most since 1989.

‘Let’s not kid ourselves,’ Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris said during the recent NFL league meetings. “I can’t believe we’re talking about the devaluation at the position and all those things.’

‘I think the position’s become more dynamic,’ Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane said during the NFL scouting combine, alluding to the mismatches that can be created. “For a while…the market maybe was suppressed. People were not looking at them as weapons.

“Some of the names you guys have talked about – Saquon, McCaffrey, Kamara, those guys – they can line up and play wide receiver, they can line up in the backfield. And so there is more value to those positions.”

NFL mock draft 2025: If Shedeur Sanders, QBs slide past Steelers, then what?

Beane, whose offseason has included stalled contract talks with his 2022 second-round pick, running back James Cook, said someone asked about his philosophy for drafting a running back in the first round.

“I’m like, ‘I probably wouldn’t draft a running back that is three yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust,’ but if it’s a weapon like some of these guys we’re talking about, heck yeah I would,’ Beane said.

The 2023 draft, with two first-round running backs, illustrated that point. The Falcons took Robinson eighth overall, and in two seasons he produced 3,350 yards from scrimmage and 23 touchdowns. Four picks after Robinson’s selection, the Detroit Lions drafted Jahmyr Gibbs, which generated much second-guessing of GM Brad Holmes’ pick. Holmes knew better. Gibbs tied for the NFL lead with 16 rushing TDs in 2024 and in teaming with David Montgomery for a 1-2 punch, was the league’s fifth-leading rusher with 1,412 yards. In two seasons, he’s tallied 3,190 yards from scrimmage and 31 TDs. Now that’s some value.

Will that recent history serve as a harbinger for this year’s draft? After Jeanty, the next-highest rated running back is North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton, hailed for his complete package of skills. There are also high marks for a pair of Ohio State runners, Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson, Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson, and so on.

Yet here’s the rub: While there’s no shortage of teams that could be tied to using first-round picks on running backs – the Las Vegas Raiders (picking sixth overall), the Chicago Bears (10^th), the Dallas Cowboys (12^th) and Denver Broncos (20^th) among them – there’s still the reason that more than two running backs have been taken in the first round just three times in the past 15 drafts. Last year, none went in the first round and just one running back was picked in the first two rounds. The consensus all-rookie running back from 2024, Tampa Bay’s Bucky Irving, was a fourth-round pick.

Other positions, such as edge rusher or offensive tackle, still represent much more of a premium. So, even though there are 10 running backs listed on USA Today’s Big Board of the top 101 draft prospects, it’s a stretch to expect this will be the Year of the Running Back.

If the crop is so deep, teams may lean toward so-called premium positions earlier in the draft while figuring they can fill running back needs later. We’ll see. The laws of supply and demand are in play, too, right along with the projected shorter life span for running backs.

Then again, Todd McShay, the longtime draft analyst, contends, ‘Talent trumps trends.’

McShay, who analyzes the draft for The Ringer and Spotify, told USA Today Sports’ Chris Bumbaca that he considers this draft setting up as a “perfect storm” for impact running backs because the deep crop aligns with a resurgence at the position.

“This class is just flat-out loaded with talent,” McShay said. “In 25 years of doing this, I haven’t seen this much high-end talent.”

The 30 running backs drafted in 2017 were the most this century. McShay noted of a crop that included McCaffrey and Leonard Fournette. He expects this year’s haul might top that.

‘The amount of talent and guys that can contribute and do different things at varying levels that we’ll see come off the board into the fifth round,’ McShay said, ‘but through the first four rounds especially, is going to be remarkable.’

Yet exactly when the big run on running backs occurs – Opening Night or Day 2? – will say a whole lot about whether much has changed in the NFL when it comes to the value of that position that teams can’t afford to be without.

Follow Jarrett Bell on social media: @JarrettBell

College football is in a perfectly fine and reasonable state. Why do you ask?

A day after former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava committed to UCLA, transfer Joey Aguilar — who transferred to the Bruins from Appalachian State in ‘The Portal: Winter Edition’ — is reportedly signing with the Vols, per ESPN’s Chris Low.

Per On3’s Pete Nakos, Tennessee reached out to recruit Aguilar to Knoxville, and an agreement was quickly reached to add Aguilar to a quarterback room that includes Jake Merklinger and George MacIntyre.

It was, indeed, a quick turnaround for Aguilar. It was reported Monday morning he was hitting the transfer portal after Iamaleava was added to an already outrageously crowded UCLA QB room. Now, he will enter an ostensibly more competitive situation at Tennessee after not seeing the field with the Bruins.

Joey Aguilar stats

Aguilar played two seasons at Appalachian State, completing 511 of 850 passes (60.1%) for 6,760 yards, 56 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. Aguilar threw an FBS-leading 14 interceptions in 2024.

• 2023 stats (with Appalachian State): 293 for 460, 3,757 yards, 33 TDs, 10 interceptions
• 2024 stats (with Appalachian State): 218 for 390, 3,003 yards, 23 TDs, 14 interceptions

Tennessee QB depth chart

Tennessee’s depth chart at quarterback includes two scholarship quarterbacks: Merklinger, a redshirt freshman, and MacIntyre, a freshman.

Aguilar immediately becomes the most experienced QB in the room, and if the post-2023 iteration of him were heading to Tennessee he might be considered a frontrunner to be a starter. However, a turnover-prone 2024 that saw an FBS-leading 14 interceptions means he’ll compete. But he has to prove he can protect the ball.

• Jake Merklinger (Redshirt freshman)
• George MacIntyre (Freshman)
• Joey Aguilar (Senior)

Right as one member of the Iamaleava family left the transfer portal, another has entered — with both brothers set for the same destination.

Arkansas quarterback Madden Iamaleava, the younger brother of Tennessee-turned-UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava, plans to enter the transfer portal, according to a report Monday from CBS Sports.

Madden Iamaleava has informed the Arkansas coaching staff that he plans to join his older brother at UCLA, according to a report from ESPN’s Chris Low.

Madden Iamaleava was an early enrollee with the Razorbacks who just completed spring practice with the program ahead of what would have been his freshman season. The younger Iamaleava brother was a four-star recruit in the 2025 class, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. The 6-foot-3, 191-pound passer was the No. 22 quarterback and No. 271 overall player in his class. 

He committed to and signed with Arkansas last December before enrolling in January. He had committed to UCLA last May before decommitting in December.

As a high school junior, Madden Iamaleava threw for more than 3,600 yards, along with 43 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He was declared ineligible for what would have been his senior year of high school football after transferring from Warren High School in California to Long Beach Polytechnic.

Madden Iamaleava’s move came just one day after his older brother announced his commitment to UCLA after a contentious and high-profile split with Tennessee, where he was the starting quarterback last season for a Vols team that made the College Football Playoff.

Nico Iamaleava’s abrupt and unexpected exit came after he missed a spring practice while he was reportedly in negotiations with the program over his name, image and likeness deal. Iamaleava, who had been slated to make $2.2 million in the last year of a four-year contract he signed with a Tennessee NIL collective his senior year of high school, was reportedly seeking $4 million.

Madden Iamaleava’s anticipated cross-country move caps off a busy 36 hours for the UCLA quarterback room. On Monday, shortly after Nico Iamaleava’s commitment to UCLA, Joey Aguilar, an Appalachian State transfer who signed with the Bruins in December, entered the portal. By the end of the day, he had found a new home, with ESPN reporting he plans to sign with Tennessee, completing a quarterback trade few, if any, could have seen coming two weeks earlier.

NEW YORK — The last time the Detroit Pistons won a playoff game, the Seattle SuperSonics were a month from selecting Russell Westbrook with the No. 4 overall pick of the NBA draft. Apple was still months from releasing the iPhone 3G — the successor to the original model.

In fact, since May 26, 2008, the date of Detroit’s last postseason victory, the Boston Celtics have won an NBA-most 126 playoff games.

On Monday night, facing the possibility of a second consecutive blown fourth-quarter lead, the Pistons finally snapped a 15-game postseason losing streak to even their first-round series against the New York Knicks. They won 100-94. And in the process, Detroit also surpassed another benchmark, another indicator that its culture is being reset.

“We did what we were supposed to do,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters after the game. “To win a game, on the road, to get home court is what we came here for. We approached it with a business-like mentality and learned from the fourth quarter the other night, but we just did what we were supposed to do.”

This season, Detroit posted a 30-win improvement over last year, the sixth-best turnaround in NBA history. The team has a burgeoning supernova in Cade Cunningham, a 23-year-old, first-time All-Star who dropped 33 points and 12 rebounds — 11 of them defensive — Monday at Madison Square Garden. The Pistons play team defense and hounded the Knicks along the perimeter, forcing them to miss their first eight 3-point tries.

And through the first two games of this series — even with Saturday night’s blown lead — the young Pistons showed they’re already ahead of their rebuild.

“We wanted to send a message,” forward Tobias Harris said after the game. “We were disappointed after Game 1 with what happened there, so we wanted to come out tonight and figure out ways that we could be better. … Our message was for us, internally, to show that we could close. Tonight was a great night for that. That type of feeling and that type of energy — we have a team that’s new and new to this feeling. We needed to understand how to close out a game in the playoffs.”

Just like they did Saturday night, the Pistons entered the fourth quarter with an eight-point lead. And also like Saturday, New York responded with a fury, tying the score at 94 with 1:15 left.

But point guard Dennis Schröder scored 20 points off the bench, none bigger than his go-ahead 3-pointer that was the eventual game winner.

The question now is whether Monday will be merely a culture-shifting victory, or one the Pistons can ride to a series upset.

Some of the coaching adjustments Bickerstaff and his assistants made before Game 2 suggest that Detroit could continue to find ways to attack New York’s defense. After the Knicks dictated the physicality with which they defended Cunningham in Game 1, the Pistons asked Cunningham in Game 2 to push the pace and get easier opportunities in transition. When asked about the shift, Bickerstaff did not divulge much, saying only that the Pistons “saw something” from game film that they thought they could exploit.

“He’s elite,” Bickerstaff said. “He is a superstar, and he played the game tonight as a superstar. He did what he needed to do to help his team win. He understood how aggressive he needed to be on the offensive end of the floor. So he was going to go out and be aggressive.

“He also understood how important finishing possessions was. He had 11 defensive rebounds; that’s knowing and understanding how to manipulate the game and make winning plays, whatever your team needs in the moment.”

The Pistons also moved center Jalen Duren to guard the shorter Josh Hart, reducing his impact on the offensive glass, an area where Hart can spark New York with high-energy plays. That left Harris to guard Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, a player with range who can stretch the floor; Towns took just three shots in the second half, did not score after intermission and finished with 10 points.

The Knicks, however, are also well-coached. They’re loaded with offensive firepower and will surely make their own adjustments ahead of Game 3 Thursday night in Detroit. The next test for the Pistons will be to anticipate any tweaks and devise their own — to avoid stagnation and retain homecourt advantage.

“It’s a great feeling, man,” Cunningham said. “It feels good to represent the city like we did tonight. It’s something that the city has been waiting on a long time, so we feel good about it and we’re ready to go back to the crib and perform in front of them.”