The Detroit Pistons won’t be spending Christmas at home this year, but if Monday night’s performance is any indication, they might be bringing some holiday cheer back from the West Coast.
Kicking off a five-game road trip with a 110-102 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, the Pistons showed grit, depth, and just enough late-game poise to pull out a victory in a game that nearly slipped away. The win improves Detroit to 23-6 on the season, a mark that reflects not just talent, but a team learning how to close out games - even when things get messy.
And things definitely got messy.
Cunningham in foul trouble, others step up
Cade Cunningham, the Pistons’ All-Star leader, found himself watching the final stretch from the bench after fouling out with over eight minutes left in the fourth. His night ended with 14 points, nine assists, and six rebounds in just 25 minutes - solid numbers, but his absence opened the door for a Trail Blazers comeback that nearly flipped the game on its head.
Portland erased a 21-point deficit with a furious 19-4 run in the fourth quarter. Deni Avdija’s layup cut the Pistons’ lead to just two, and when Toumani Camara drilled a three on the next possession, the Blazers had their first lead of the night - 100-99 with under five minutes to go.
That’s when Detroit decided enough was enough.
Duren and Thompson close the door
With the momentum hanging in the balance, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson took control. Duren, who led the Pistons with 26 points, 10 boards, and two blocks, powered his way to 14 points in the third quarter alone, helping Detroit build that big cushion in the first place. But it was his presence late - hitting timely shots and anchoring the paint - that helped settle the storm.
Thompson, who had his own battle with foul trouble early (three in the first quarter), responded with a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds, plus three steals. His energy was relentless, and his putback dunk off a Tobias Harris miss in the final minute was the dagger - a moment that sealed the win and silenced the Moda Center crowd.
“Give our guys a ton of credit,” head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said.
“So many players stepped up in the final minutes. It speaks to the depth and the collective of this team.”
Depth on display
That depth was on full display, especially with Cunningham in foul trouble and Ron Holland II sidelined for the first time in his career due to a knee injury suffered during Saturday’s win over Charlotte. His status for Tuesday’s game in Sacramento remains uncertain.
In Holland’s absence, others filled the void. Duncan Robinson chipped in 15 points despite a tough shooting night (4-for-14), and rookie Daniss Jenkins made the most of his 13 minutes off the bench, especially in the first half.
Jenkins entered late in the first quarter with the Pistons up just three, and by the time he exited midway through the second, Detroit had built a 10-point lead. His five points and three assists don’t leap off the stat sheet, but his control of the offense and ability to steady the ship without Cunningham were crucial.
Jaden Ivey’s quiet impact
Let’s not overlook Jaden Ivey, either. Monday marked a month since his return from injury, and while he’s still ramping up, this was one of his more complete outings of the season.
He scored nine of his 11 points in the first half and helped the Pistons head into the break with a 61-51 lead. His burst is coming back, and Bickerstaff made it clear postgame that the team is encouraged by his progress.
“He’s gaining confidence, figuring out where he fits, and how to pick his spots,” Bickerstaff said. “We want him to be aggressive.
We want him to play like J.I. The best is still to come.”
Looking ahead
The Pistons now turn their attention to Sacramento, where they’ll face a Kings team that plays fast and physical - a tough matchup, especially without full clarity on Holland’s availability. But Monday’s win showed something bigger than just a notch in the win column. It showed a team that can weather adversity, lean on its depth, and find ways to win when things don’t go according to script.
That’s the kind of resilience that travels well - even on a long road trip during the holidays.