Pistons Flex Full Roster Depth in 142-115 Rout of Hawks, Stay Atop the East
For the first time in a long time, the Detroit Pistons looked like a team with all the pieces in place-and they made sure the Atlanta Hawks felt every bit of it. Back at full strength with Tobias Harris returning to the starting lineup, Detroit cruised to a commanding 142-115 win at home Friday night, powered by a deep and energized bench that overwhelmed Atlanta from the second quarter on.
This wasn’t just a win-it was a statement. And it started with a roster that finally looked whole.
“It felt great,” said center Jalen Duren, who’s quickly becoming one of the emotional leaders of this young squad. “I think this is one of the first games we had everybody top to bottom, so it was great.
Obviously the result was great. Everybody got to play.
It was a good one.”
Duren’s energy mirrored the performance on the court. After five days of rest, Detroit came out refreshed but not rusty.
The first quarter was a back-and-forth affair, featuring 13 lead changes as both teams traded early punches. But once the second quarter hit, the Pistons hit the gas.
A 35-point outburst in the second frame cracked the game open, and from there, Detroit never looked back.
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff leaned into the team’s depth, and the results were staggering.
Twelve different players scored at least seven points. Eight of them hit double digits.
That level of scoring balance tied an NBA record for most players with seven or more points in a single game-and it wasn’t just empty numbers. Nearly every player who stepped on the floor made a tangible impact.
“There’s no bench unit, you know what I mean?” Duren said.
“Even guys who come off the bench for us are starting-caliber players. So we’re lucky to have a team of guys who all stay locked in, all execute, who all understand the mission.”
Isaiah Stewart came off the bench and brought his usual brand of controlled chaos-17 points, five boards, and five assists in just 20 minutes. Ron Holland II was right behind him, dropping 12 points while adding five rebounds and three assists of his own. It was a total team effort, and the Hawks simply couldn’t keep up with the wave after wave of fresh legs and high-level execution.
This win marks three straight for Detroit, who remain firmly in first place in the Eastern Conference standings. More importantly, it showcased what this team looks like when firing on all cylinders.
The Pistons weren’t just playing well-they were playing together. The ball moved, the energy was contagious, and the bench looked like it could start for several other teams around the league.
Duren didn’t hold back when asked what this kind of performance means for the team’s mindset moving forward.
“I think, honestly, it shows the world that we're serious about winning, that we are serious about contending for a championship because that's what we do it for,” he said. “We're not here just to win games, we’re here to win championships. So, I think we’re the best team in the league, and we're gonna continue to show it.”
There’s a long way to go in the season, and the road will only get tougher. But for now, the Pistons are rolling-and they’ve got the depth, the confidence, and the chemistry to back up the hype.
Next up: a big test against a resurgent Boston Celtics squad on Monday night. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET in Boston.