The Detroit Pistons celebrated a successful conclusion to their home schedule at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan, United States, securing a dominant 137-111 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. The win, which improved Detroit’s record to 58-22, was highlighted by the return of core players Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Stewart from significant injury absences.
Cunningham made his first appearance since suffering a collapsed lung on March 17, 2026. The superstar guard showed little rust, recording a double-double with 13 points and 10 assists in 26 minutes. Stewart, returning from a 13-game layoff due to a calf strain, contributed eight points on perfect shooting in limited first-half action. Their returns bolster a Pistons squad that has already clinched the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed and its first Central Division title since 2008.
Despite the shorthanded Bucks being without stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kyle Kuzma, the Pistons left nothing to chance. A 22-8 run to close the first half, fueled by 11 consecutive points from Duncan Robinson, effectively ended the contest early. Robinson finished with 20 points, while Jalen Duren led the scoring with 21. Detroit’s offensive efficiency was on full display, shooting nearly 60% from the floor.
A pivotal storyline remains the NBA’s 65-game eligibility rule for post-season awards. Despite averaging career highs in assists and steals, Cunningham will finish the season with a maximum of 64 games played, disqualifying him from All-NBA or MVP honors. This has sparked significant pushback from the NBPA and Cunningham’s representation, though Commissioner Adam Silver continues to defend the threshold as a necessary deterrent to load management.
Regardless of individual accolades, Detroit is finding its stride at the perfect moment. Formerly a struggling perimeter shooting team, the Pistons have shot over 38% from deep over their last 20 games. With their stars healthy and their secondary scorers like Ron Holland and Ausar Thompson contributing double-figures, the Pistons enter the postseason as a legitimate powerhouse.
CONAN Daily 