The Detroit Pistons came out of the gate strong in the second half of the 2025-26 season, reminding everyone exactly why they’ve been in the championship conversation all year. On the road in New Orleans, with a couple key pieces missing, Detroit still found a way to grind out a 112-104 win over the Pelicans - a performance that spoke volumes about their depth, resilience, and growing maturity as a team.
This win wasn’t just another notch in the standings. It pushed the Pistons to 32-10 on the season and marked their fourth straight victory.
But perhaps more impressively, it was their 14th road win - and they earned it without Cade Cunningham and Caris LeVert, both sidelined due to injuries. Cunningham, in particular, is dealing with a left hip contusion, a nagging issue that’s kept him out of action.
Despite being short-handed, Detroit didn’t flinch. Instead, they leaned on their balance and interior dominance to get the job done.
Five Pistons finished in double figures, and at the heart of it all was Jalen Duren, who continues to evolve into a force in the paint. Duren dropped 20 points, pulled down 14 boards, and added a pair of blocks - notching his 20th double-double of the season in the process.
What stood out about Duren’s night wasn’t just the raw numbers. It was the way he controlled the glass on both ends and anchored the defense when it mattered most.
With Cunningham out, the Pistons needed someone to step up and set the tone. Duren did that and then some.
This is the kind of win that says a lot about a team’s identity. The Pistons didn’t have their full roster, they were on the road, and they were facing a Pelicans squad that can be dangerous when they find rhythm.
But Detroit never let the moment get too big. They played with poise, trusted their system, and once again showed that they’re more than just a team with star power - they’re a team that knows how to win in different ways.
As the season rolls on, the Pistons are building something real. Nights like this - gritty, team-first, and executed without all their top guns - are the kind that championship teams stack up on their way to something bigger.