Pistons 131-124 Statement Win Marred by Curry Injury Scare in San Francisco
It wasn’t just a win; it was a declaration. In a season where the Detroit Pistons have steadily climbed the ladder from “promising young core” to legitimate Eastern Conference heavyweights, Friday night at the Chase Center served as a microcosm of their evolution.
Facing a hostile road environment and a Golden State Warriors team desperate for momentum, the Pistons didn’t just survive—they dictated terms. Led by a masterful performance from Cade Cunningham and a bruising interior presence from Jalen Duren, Detroit held off a furious late rally to secure a 131-124 victory.
However, the result on the scoreboard was somewhat overshadowed by a hushed silence that fell over the Bay Area crowd in the second half, as Stephen Curry exited the game with right knee soreness, leaving the Warriors’ future precarious and the game’s final minutes devoid of the usual star-studded shootout.
Cunningham Orchestrates the Offense
For years, the knock on young Detroit teams was their inability to close. On Friday, Cade Cunningham silenced those old narratives. The guard was nothing short of surgical, posting 29 points and dishing out 11 assists. He controlled the tempo from the opening tip, refusing to let the Warriors’ frenetic pace speed him up.
What stood out most wasn’t just the scoring, but the poise. When Golden State cut a 20-point deficit down to single digits in the third quarter—a trademark Warriors surge that has buried countless teams over the last decade—Cunningham didn’t panic. He organized the floor, found open shooters, and hit crucial mid-range jumpers to stop the bleeding.
It was the most points Golden State has allowed in a half all season, a testament to the offensive firepower Detroit now possesses.
Pistons Weather the Warriors’ Storm
No game at the Chase Center is ever truly over until the final buzzer, and the Pistons learned that the hard way. Despite the massive first-half lead, the Warriors roared back. Fueled by Draymond Green’s energy—who not only scored 15 points but also dove into the stands for loose balls and picked up a technical foul in classic fashion—Golden State chipped away.
Unlikely hero Gui Santos caught fire late, hitting a three-pointer with just under seven minutes left to pull the Warriors within five, and a Buddy Hield layup shortly after made it a one-possession game. The crowd was deafening. The momentum had shifted.
But this is where the 2026 Pistons differ from their predecessors. Instead of folding, they executed. Jalen Duren was a monster in the paint, tallying 21 points and 13 rebounds. He punished the Warriors’ smaller lineup, securing second-chance points that demoralized the defense. Duncan Robinson, proving to be a vital spacing acquisition, chipped in 15 points, keeping the driving lanes open for Cunningham and Jaden Ivey.
The Curry Factor and Playoff Implications
The victory moves the Pistons to an impressive 35-12, cementing their spot atop the Central Division. They have now won seven of their last nine games, bouncing back immediately from a tough loss in Phoenix the night before. To complete a road back-to-back with a win in San Francisco speaks volumes about the team’s conditioning and mental toughness.
For Golden State, the loss is secondary to the health of their franchise icon. Stephen Curry had dropped 23 points before leaving with knee soreness. Ausar Thompson had the unenviable task of guarding Curry for much of the night, using his length to harass the shooter into a 7-for-16 performance before the injury occurred.
The Pistons forced 18 turnovers, converting them into 31 points. That defensive pressure, combined with their efficient shooting, proved to be the difference.
As Detroit heads home to host the Nets on Sunday, they do so with the confidence of a contender. They walked into the home of a dynasty, built a massive lead, weathered a storm, and walked out with a win. The rebuild is long over in the Motor City; the Pistons have arrived.
