Daniss Jenkins Shines as Pistons Snap Lakers’ Nine-Game Win Streak in Thriller 113-110
There is a specific kind of magic that brews inside Little Caesars Arena when two heavyweights collide late in the regular season. On Monday night, the Detroit Pistons and the Los Angeles Lakers delivered a March classic that had all the intensity of a late-May playoff battle. In a game defined by massive momentum swings, blistering individual performances, and absolute heartbreak at the buzzer, Detroit held its nerve.
Led by an unforgettable career night from Daniss Jenkins, the Pistons outlasted Los Angeles 113-110, snapping the Lakers’ highly publicized nine-game winning streak and cementing their own status as the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.
Daniss Jenkins Plays Hero for the Pistons
If you didn’t know who Daniss Jenkins was before Monday night, you certainly do now. On a floor shared by future Hall of Famers and perennial All-Stars, the young guard was the most dangerous man in the building. Jenkins poured in a career-high 30 points, shooting a hyper-efficient 11-for-18 from the field and 4-for-5 from beyond the arc. But it wasn’t just the point total that left the Pistons faithful roaring—it was when he scored them.
With the game hanging in the balance, Jenkins put the entire city of Detroit on his back, scoring the final six points for his squad in the last 34 seconds of regulation. Whenever the Lakers threatened to steal the game, Jenkins found an answer, utilizing his eight assists to keep the offense flowing before taking matters into his own hands at the final horn.
He had plenty of help inside, too. Jalen Duren was an absolute force in the paint, bullying his way to a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double while shooting a perfect 10-for-10 from the charity stripe. Tobias Harris chipped in a steady 14 points, giving the Pistons the balanced attack they needed to build a massive early lead.
Lakers Rally Erases a Massive Deficit
For a while, it looked like the Pistons were going to run Los Angeles right out of the gym. The Pistons built a commanding 16-point advantage early in the third quarter, suffocating the Lakers defensively and forcing uncharacteristic turnovers.
But you don’t win nine games in a row by rolling over. Luka Doncic, who was only cleared to play on Sunday after the NBA rescinded his 16th technical foul, showed exactly why he is one of the most lethal offensive weapons on the planet. Doncic finished with a game-high 32 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
Meanwhile, LeBron James had a bizarre yet highly impactful night. After going completely scoreless in the first half, James flipped a switch in the final two quarters to finish with 12 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds—falling just one board shy of a triple-double. Austin Reaves was equally critical to the comeback effort, torching the nets for 24 points and keeping the Lakers within striking distance.
Los Angeles slowly chipped away at the deficit. They tied the game at 91-all with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter, turning the arena into a pressure cooker.
A Wild Finish at Little Caesars Arena
The final minute of this contest belongs in a time capsule. After grinding their way back from the depths, the Lakers finally seized a 108-107 lead on a pair of DeAndre Ayton free throws with just 39.9 seconds remaining.
The building went dead silent. But Jenkins wasn’t phased.
He immediately answered with two clutch free throws on the other end. Reaves fired right back, sinking a tough jumper in the lane to put the Lakers up 110-109 with 29.7 seconds to play.
Jenkins, operating with ice in his veins, scored on the ensuing possession to take the lead right back. After Doncic misfired on a crucial possession, Jenkins secured the rebound, drew the foul, and calmly sank two more free throws to push the lead to 113-110 with nine seconds left.
Los Angeles had one last gasp. Doncic caught the ball, navigated through heavy Detroit pressure, and launched a contested three-pointer at the buzzer. It clanked off the iron, sending the Detroit crowd into a frenzy and securing a massive victory for the home team.
The Pistons (52-19) have now won four straight and seven of their last eight games, proving they have the mental fortitude to close out tight games against elite competition. They survived a barrage from one of the hottest teams in basketball and defended their home floor with grit.
Detroit will look to keep the momentum rolling when they host the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday, while the Lakers will try to start a new streak when they travel to face the Indiana Pacers.
