Just two years ago, the Detroit Pistons were languishing at the bottom of the NBA with a mere 14 wins. Fast forward to now, and they're the first Eastern Conference team to clinch a playoff spot. Talk about a turnaround!
On Friday night, the Pistons secured a 115-101 victory over the Warriors, thanks to standout performances from Jalen Duren, who dropped 23 points, and backup point guard Daniss Jenkins, who stepped up with 22 points in place of the injured Cade Cunningham. This win cemented their place in the playoffs and showcased the depth of their roster.
Coach J.B. was full of praise for his squad, saying, “They’ve been a joy to coach. They’ve been one of the most connected teams I’ve ever been a part of.
I feel fortunate every single day I get to come to work with these guys. … The spirit they play with every night is just different here.”
With this victory, Detroit holds a four-game lead over the Boston Celtics for the coveted No. 1 seed in the East, with 12 games left in the regular season. Despite Cunningham’s absence due to a collapsed lung-which could sideline him for the rest of the season-the Pistons have proven resilient.
They're 7-2 without him this season, boasting a +2.2 net rating when he's not on the floor. That kind of depth makes it tough for the Celtics to close the gap.
No matter how the rest of the season unfolds, one thing is certain: the Pistons are playoff-bound, and they're not just making an appearance-they’re making a statement.