The key ingredients behind Detroit’s surprise NBA dominance this season

The Detroit Pistons are the surprise story of the 2025–26 season and currently sit on top of the Eastern Conference with a 28–9 record.

For a team accustomed to propping up the standings in recent seasons with their 2023-24 campaign seeing the Motor City team finishing in 15th place in the Eastern Conference with an NBA league-worst record of 14-68 which also included an NBA single-season record 28-game losing streak.

Their surge this season however is the result of a perfectly timed combination of elite coaching, internal development, and astute veteran additions.

Under head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, the Pistons have transformed into a defensive powerhouse and they currently rank 2nd in the NBA in Defensive Rating with Ausar Thompson having emerged as a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate.

Between Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart (who just set a career-high with 31 points), the Pistons are allowing one of the lowest field goal percentages at the rim in the league.

Cunningham cooking for Pistons

Cade Cunningham has officially ascended to superstar status and is the “engine” of their 8th-ranked offense, averaging 26.7 points per game. His chemistry with Jalen Duren has become nearly unguardable.

While the Pistons were known for being “young and rebuilding,” they used the 2025 offseason to add veterans who fit specific needs with Duncan Robinson brought in to fix the team’s historical lack of shooting. Caris LeVert provides a steady hand off the bench, allowing the offense to stay afloat when Cade rests and Tobias Harris has provided the locker room leadership and “calm” that this young core lacked during their losing seasons.

Overcoming injuries

Perhaps the most impressive sign of their dominance is that they haven’t slowed down despite missing key pieces. They just beat the Bulls yesterday without Cade Cunningham (wrist), Jalen Duren (ankle), and Tobias Harris (hip). Fringe players such as Daniss Jenkins (15 assists yesterday) and Isaiah Stewart have stepped up to maintain their winning culture.

Next up for the Pistons is a home clash against the LA Clippers on Sunday at Little Caesars Arena.

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