Pistons Showcase Grit and Depth in Nail-Biter Against Cleveland 114-110

Some wins look pretty in the box score, and then there are wins that forge the identity of a contender. Sunday afternoon at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse was decidedly the latter for the Detroit Pistons.

Facing a desperate Cleveland Cavaliers squad and missing critical pieces of their starting lineup, Detroit didn’t just survive; they made a statement. With Jalen Duren and Tobias Harris sidelined, the “next man up” cliché wasn’t just coach-speak—it was a necessity. And in a game that swung from a blowout to a white-knuckle finish, the Pistons proved exactly why they are sitting atop the Eastern Conference at 26-9.

This wasn’t just about Cade Cunningham doing his usual heavy lifting. It was about a collective will to win, highlighted by an unexpected, explosive performance from the bench and a defensive stand that silenced the Cleveland crowd when it mattered most.

The Daniss Jenkins Game

Every championship-caliber season has those random, “where did that come from” moments. Sunday belonged to Daniss Jenkins.

With the offense needing a spark, Jenkins didn’t just step up; he caught fire. The reserve guard poured in a career-defining performance, finishing with 25 points. But it was his second quarter that will be replayed in the film room for weeks. Jenkins dropped 21 points in that period alone, hitting shots from everywhere on the floor. He set a franchise record for points in a quarter by a reserve, a mark previously held by Ron Holland and Jodie Meeks.

For twelve minutes, the Cavaliers had no answer. Jenkins was pulling up from deep, driving the lane, and energizing a Pistons bench that has become the envy of the league. That 47-point second quarter for the Pistons built a cushion that, as it turned out, they would need every single ounce of.

Weathering the Mitchell Storm

You knew the run was coming. The Cavaliers, sitting at 20-17 and trying to find their footing in the playoff race, weren’t going to roll over at home. Donovan Mitchell reminded everyone why he is one of the game’s most lethal scorers, erupting for 23 of his 30 points in the second half.

The fourth quarter felt like a slow-motion car crash for Detroit fans. The offense stagnated, the legs looked heavy, and the Cleveland defense tightened the screws. A comfortable lead evaporated into thin air as Mitchell and Darius Garland (16 points) chipped away. When Garland hit a floater with 1:16 left, the Pistons’ lead was trimmed to a terrifying 108-106.

In previous years, this is where Detroit might have folded. Young teams often crumble under that specific kind of road pressure. But this 2026 squad is built differently.

Cunningham and Thompson Close the Door

When the lights got brightest, Detroit’s stars simply went to work. Cade Cunningham, who finished with a team-high 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists, was the steady hand the team needed. He was perfect from the charity stripe, going 11-for-11, ensuring that Cleveland couldn’t exploit the clock.

But the play of the game didn’t happen at the free-throw line. It happened in the paint. With under 20 seconds left and the game hanging in the balance, Ausar Thompson—who had battled foul trouble all night—muscled his way to a tip-in that pushed the lead to two possessions.

That hustle play was emblematic of the Pistons’ season. It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective. Isaiah Stewart, filling in for the injured Duren, was a menace defensively, recording three blocks and two steals, including a massive rejection that set the tone for the final minute.

A Statement of Intent

Winning on the road without your starting center and veteran power forward is nearly impossible.

The Pistons didn’t play a perfect game. Allowing 110 points and nearly blowing a massive halftime lead gives the coaching staff plenty to yell about in practice tomorrow. But good teams find a way to win when things aren’t perfect.

Detroit holds a commanding lead in the Central Division, and games like this separate the pretenders from the contenders. They return home to face the Knicks on Monday with a renewed sense of confidence. If Sunday showed us anything, it’s that the Pistons have the depth, the star power, and the mental toughness to handle whatever the East throws at them.