Pistons set a franchise record: Nets demolished, Bickerstaff: “+53? I’m impressed!”
A historic night in Detroit: the Pistons blow out the Nets by 53, rewriting franchise records and sending a clear message to the rest of the NBA
Detroit delivers a night to remember. The Detroit Pistons post the largest win in franchise history, demolishing the Brooklyn Nets 130-77 and surpassing the previous record of +52 set in 2003 in Boston. A wire-to-wire domination that cements their status as the Eastern Conference leaders.
Cunningham conducts, Detroit soars
Running the show is Cade Cunningham, who finishes with 18 points, 12 assists and 4 steals, reaffirming himself as the team’s technical and emotional engine. He tallies 13 points and 10 assists in the first half alone, as Detroit pulls away to a 67-44 lead at the break, capped by Ausar Thompson’s buzzer-beating half-court three.
The knockout blow comes in the third quarter: a 33-18 run pushes the Pistons to 100-62, with the lead swelling to as many as 55 points. Everything clicks on a night marked by focus and consistency, without any letdown.
Bickerstaff: “We kept our standards”
After the game, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff emphasized the mental edge behind the performance:
In the past, even this season, we’ve had moments where we eased up after building a big lead. Not tonight. We kept playing to our standards, and that’s what impressed me the most.
J.B. Bickerstaff
Standings and numbers tell the story
With the win, Detroit improves to 36-12, strengthening its grip on first place in the East and securing a second straight victory after beating Golden State. Brooklyn, meanwhile, falls to 13-35, absorbing one of its most lopsided losses of the season.
For the Nets, Cam Thomas and Drake Powell each score 12 points, while Egor Demin sees his NBA-rookie streak of 34 straight games with at least one made three come to an end, going 0-for-4 from deep. Michael Porter Jr. was out for personal reasons.
Duren marks All-Star nod with a dominant showing
On the day he was named an NBA All-Star Game 2026 reserve, Jalen Duren delivered on the floor with a strong, no-frills performance: 21 points and 10 rebounds, constant paint presence and imposing physicality. A symbolic night for the Pistons’ big man, starring in a victory that went far beyond individual numbers.