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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 04: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena on April 04, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Without Cade Cunningham, the Detroit Pistons proved to the NBA world that they are still very much a threat on Monday night.
During the Pistons’ March 23 matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers, they pulled off a gutsy win against one of the hottest teams in the NBA.
The Lakers landed in Detroit, Michigan, with a mission to win their 10th-straight game. Instead, LeBron James and his squad collected their first loss since a March 5 matchup on the road in Colorado against the Denver Nuggets.
Following the game, James had high praise for the Pistons.
“Of course you give credit where credit is due, they are the number one team in the East,” James said, following the Pistons’ 113-110 win over the Lakers.
“They got a really good team, even with their All-NBA player being out. So, a lot of credit to them. We gave ourselves a chance. That’s all you can ask for.”
Detroit Pistons Slow Down The Luka-LeBron Duo
Lakers starting lineup vs Rockets
GettyLOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 12: Lakers forward LeBron James, #23, right, congratulates Lakers guard Luka Doncic after he sank a three-point shot, totaling 51 points for the game against the Bulls in the second half at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Throughout the past week, Luka Doncic and LeBron James set the NBA on fire.
On Monday, the Pistons’ defensive effort gave them a difficult time.
Doncic checked in for 39 minutes. He shot 11-29 from the field, making only three shots from three (13 attempts). The star guard finished the game with 32 points.
As for James, he had one of the rarest halves of his career. In the first half of the matchup, he went scoreless. It was just the third time that happened in his 23-year career. It was the first time since 2010 that occurred in the first half.
James ended up getting in double digits with 12 points, shooting 4-10 from the field. His value came in the passing game, as he racked up a game-high 10 assists.
The Pistons Stun The Lakers
Jalen Duren, Pistons
GettyDETROIT, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 17: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons reacts after he dunks in the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Little Caesars Arena on November 17, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rick Osentoski/Getty Images)
As LeBron stated, the Pistons are No. 1 in the Eastern Conference for a reason. They are talented and well-coached.
But they recently lost the MVP-caliber guard, Cade Cunningham, to a collapsed lung. And Jalen Duren’s primary backup, Isaiah Stewart, has been off the court as well.
Still, the Pistons are finding ways to win games.
The All-Star center Jalen Duren wrapped up Monday’s action with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists in 33 minutes of action.
Cunningham’s replacement, Daniss Jenkins, continues to earn his newly-signed standard contract, as he scored a career-high 30 points on 11-18 shooting from the field, along with producing eight assists and four rebounds.
With Monday’s win, the Pistons have collected four in a row. They are now 52-19 on the season, with a 5.0-game lead over the Boston Celtics.
The Pistons will host the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday, March 25, for a 7 PM ET tip.