The Detroit Pistons continued their electric start to the 2025-26 season, securing their fifth straight win with a dominant showing against the Brooklyn Nets.
Moving to 7-2 for the season, Detroit kicked off NBA Cup play in style on the road, besting the Nets, 122-104, to continue the franchise’s best start to a season since 2008.
The Pistons found themselves down early as Brooklyn’s Noah Clowney began the game 4-of-5 from beyond the arc to push the Nets (1-8) ahead early, 19-9.
Isaiah Stewart getting an early flagrant foul called against him didn’t help as they sent Brooklyn to the line six times. Stewart would miss most of the game with a left ankle sprain he suffered later in the half.
But it didn’t take long for the Pistons to start playing their style of basketball, feeding the ball into the paint and getting elite contribution from star guard Cade Cunningham.
Jalen Duren led a dynamic attack in the post with 18 points in the first half. The Pistons totaled 40 points in the paint in the opening half of play and Cunningham was integral in setting up another big night from Duren as he assisted on five of his six early makes.
After doing most of his damage in the fourth quarter the last two games, Cunningham spread out his offense more with 14 points in the first half and 20 more in the second.
A five-point lead at halftime after Duren and Cunningham’s combined 32 points was solid, but they were ready to put the game away early with an explosive third quarter.
Cunningham put up another 14 points in the period while the Detroit defense held the Nets to 21% shooting from the field and two points in the paint for the entire quarter.
While adding another 20 points in the paint, the Pistons jumped out to a 20-point advantage, 94-74, going into the final 12 minutes.
The Pistons didn’t need to put their thumb on the scale much in the final quarter to leave with a win.
For the first time this season, Cunningham and Duren each eclipsed 30 points, with guard posting 34 and 10 assists, while the center had 30 points and 11 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the year.
Not to be lost in Detroit’s 80-point performance in the paint was Ausar Thompson who shot 50% almost exclusively in the paint to score 14 with six rebounds, four assists and three steals in the winning effort.
Despite another slow start, the Pistons locked into their usual rhythm and ran the lowly Nets out of their own arena.
BOX SCORE
Up next: The Pistons remain on the road to face the Philadelphia 76ers (5-3) Sunday night.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.