In a thriller at Little Caesars Arena, the Detroit Pistons showcased grit and poise when it mattered most. With the game tied at 100, Jaden Ivey delivered the moment of the night — and possibly the season — by sinking a runner over Ochai Agbaji as the buzzer sounded.
The result? A hard-fought 102-100 victory over the Toronto Raptors and an emphatic statement from Detroit’s young core.
Ivey was nothing short of spectacular, shouldering the load in Cade Cunningham’s absence. His 25-point, eight-assist performance on 10-of-13 shooting showed a level of maturity and control that’s becoming his trademark. Down the stretch, Ivey calmly dictated the pace, refusing to let the moment overwhelm him.
“I wanted to get the best shot for my team,” Ivey said postgame. “That’s all I was thinking—win the game.”
Ausar Thompson Returns
It wasn’t just Ivey who delivered. The long-awaited season debut of Ausar Thompson brought a jolt of energy to the Pistons. Sidelined since March due to blood clots, the second-year forward was finally cleared to return, and while his box score wasn’t flashy — five points, four assists, three rebounds in 16 minutes — his impact was undeniable.
Thompson’s key layup late in the fourth quarter gave Detroit its first lead of the final period, and his defensive presence steadied the Pistons in crunch time. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff couldn’t hold back his praise.
“He’s been through so much, and to see him come back like this, it’s inspiring,” Bickerstaff said. “His energy, his unselfishness—it’s exactly what we need.”
Duren Dominates
Jalen Duren turned in a monster night, anchoring the Pistons on both ends of the floor. With 13 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and four steals, Duren controlled the paint and delivered highlight-reel plays that had the Detroit faithful on their feet.
His defensive effort late in the first half was a turning point. Three blocks in the final 4:20 of the second quarter — including an emphatic rejection of Jakob Poeltl — set the tone for a Pistons squad that never folded despite Toronto’s relentless offensive rebounding.
Duren’s energy translated to offense, too, with an alley-oop from Thompson in the third quarter serving as one of the night’s most electric moments.
Barnes’ Big Night Not Enough
For Toronto, Scottie Barnes continued his stellar play with 31 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists. But the Raptors struggled to find consistency, shooting just 25% in the fourth quarter as the Pistons’ defense tightened the screws.
Despite a 23-6 edge in offensive rebounds and a 25-13 advantage in second-chance points, Toronto couldn’t capitalize when it mattered most.
Pistons Prove Resilient
For a team still finding its footing, this win felt bigger than just one game. Without their franchise player, the Pistons found a way to execute in critical moments.
And as Ivey’s shot splashed through the net, the message was clear: These Pistons are learning how to win, even when the odds are stacked against them.
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