The Detroit Pistons, after a historically dismal season, have surged to the top of the NBA standings, a transformation fueled by a core of young players and a renewed commitment to defense. On February 11, 2026, Detroit defeated the Toronto Raptors 113-95, a game where Cade Cunningham led all scorers with 28 points, and Paul Reed contributed 22 points, 16 of them in the first quarter, according to reports from the Associated Press and CBS Sports.
The victory over Toronto, however, followed a period of profound struggle. Two seasons prior, the Pistons endured a 29-game losing streak, ultimately finishing the season with a mere 14 wins. That disastrous performance led to the dismissal of both general manager Troy Weaver and coach Dwane Casey, with Casey still owed approximately sixty million dollars on his contract. A complete overhaul of the roster followed, but a deliberate decision was made to retain the team’s young core: Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Isaiah Stewart, Jaden Ivey, and Ausar Thompson.
This decision represented a significant gamble. Each player possessed individual strengths – Stewart as a physical interior presence capable of three-point shooting, Thompson with his exceptional athleticism, Ivey’s explosive drives to the basket, and Duren’s dominance on the boards and potential in the pick-and-roll game. However, their collective skillset didn’t naturally align with the modern NBA’s emphasis on perimeter shooting. The Pistons, it seemed, would need to forge a different path to success.
That path has materialized with remarkable speed. After a 44-win season last year – a historic leap from the previous year’s 14 victories – the Pistons have already matched that win total with six weeks remaining in the current season. This turnaround hasn’t been achieved through tanking for high draft picks, nor through the intricate, long-term planning of teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder. Nor have they acquired a superstar player.
Instead, the Pistons’ ascent is largely attributable to the impact of new head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and the development of the existing roster. While the team has made additions, including Tobias Harris and Duncan Robinson, the core group that endured the 68-loss season remains largely intact, with the exception of Ivey, who was recently traded to the Chicago Bulls.
Bickerstaff, known for his hands-on approach and emphasis on defense-first basketball, has instilled a style reminiscent of the Pistons’ championship teams of the 1980s and 1990s, and the 2004 title-winning squad. The Pistons, once defensively porous, have transformed into a formidable defensive unit. Thompson has emerged as a premier shot blocker among wings and a disruptive force in passing lanes. Duren, now 22, has blossomed into an All-Star caliber center and a dominant rim protector. Stewart, despite his size, utilizes a remarkable seven-foot-five wingspan to anchor the paint, allowing the Pistons’ perimeter defenders to be more aggressive and generate turnovers.
Stewart, nicknamed “Beef Stew” for his physical style of play and penchant for altercations, is currently serving a seven-game suspension stemming from an incident involving the Charlotte Hornets. The Pistons embrace physicality on both ends of the court, drawing charges, initiating contact, and relentlessly attacking the rim. While their three-point shooting remains a weakness, the team recognizes the continued efficiency of scoring opportunities within the paint. Cunningham, in particular, excels at creating those opportunities.
