The Detroit Pistons have become the talk of the NBA this winter, and for good reason. Five years into Cade Cunningham’s tenure, the team has finally surged to the top of the Eastern Conference standings, capturing the attention of fans and analysts alike. But as the Pistons prepare for a pivotal homestand and a high-stakes showdown with the New York Knicks, a familiar question still shadows their success: when will Cunningham get the second star he so clearly deserves?
The Pistons’ rise has been as dramatic as it is improbable. As of January 5, 2026, Detroit sits firmly atop the East, three games clear of the second-place Knicks. NBA.com’s John Schuhmann recently bumped them up two spots to number three in his latest power rankings, trailing only the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder. "The Pistons are without three of their top eight players and, with their loss to the Heat on Thursday, they had lost three out of four games for the first time. But they remain three games ahead of the second-place Knicks after picking up a gritty win in Cleveland on Sunday afternoon," Schuhmann wrote, highlighting the team’s resilience.
That win against the Cavaliers wasn’t pretty, but it was emblematic of the Pistons’ new identity: tough, defensive-minded, and relentless in the paint. Even with key contributors sidelined—Tobias Harris went down with a hip injury on December 30, and Jalen Duren sprained his ankle just two nights later—Detroit found a way to grind out a victory. The team’s longest homestand of the season, a six-game stretch over 15 days, kicked off this week, setting the stage for three crucial meetings with the Knicks. It’s a stretch that could define their season, especially after last year’s heartbreak, when the Pistons lost all three home games in the first round of the playoffs by a combined six points.
At the heart of Detroit’s renaissance is Cade Cunningham, a bona fide MVP frontrunner. As of early January, Cunningham ranked sixth on the KIA MVP Ladder, and he’s the only candidate near the top whose team lacks a clear second star. Every player ahead of him in the MVP race has at least one high-profile running mate, but Cunningham has been forced to shoulder the offensive load almost single-handedly. The Pistons’ success is a testament to his growth and grit, but it also underscores the need for reinforcements.
Cunningham has dealt with constant double teams and traps all season—a strategy the Knicks exploited during last year’s playoffs. Yet, he’s responded with poise and determination, keeping the Pistons’ offense humming. Still, the burden is immense. "We’ve been talking about this since last season, but Jaden Ivey is still the X Factor here, as he could step up and be that guy, but the results after 20 games aren’t promising," noted one insider. Ivey, still searching for his rhythm after an uneven start and unsure of his place in the rotation, hasn’t yet emerged as the reliable secondary scorer Cunningham so desperately needs.
Other Pistons have stepped up at times—Jalen Duren, for instance, has flashed All-Star potential this season, and players like Duncan Robinson, Daniss Jenkins, and Javonte Green have all delivered big games. But none have consistently filled the role of a true second star. Duren, for all his promise, isn’t yet the player you turn to in crunch time for a clutch bucket. The Pistons’ formula for winning has been a blend of elite defense and paint dominance, a style that’s served them well in the regular season but could be exposed when the pressure ratchets up in the playoffs.
Defense, in fact, has been the team’s calling card. Isaiah Stewart’s emergence as the league’s best rim protector has been a game-changer. Opponents have shot just 41.9% (62-for-148) at the basket when Stewart is on the floor, a staggering statistic that anchors Detroit’s defensive scheme. Schuhmann observed, "Isaiah Stewart makes for a pretty good fill-in on defense (either at the four or the five), and remains the league’s best rim protector." With Stewart and Cunningham sharing the court without Duren, the Pistons have allowed just 104 points per 100 possessions over 307 minutes—a mark that would make any coach envious.
But the team’s depth is being tested. With three of their top eight players out, minutes have been shuffled and roles redefined. The starting lineup, which had logged 230 total minutes together—fourth most of any lineup in the NBA—has been forced to adapt on the fly. The Pistons’ resilience is impressive, but the question lingers: how long can they sustain this level of play without a dependable second scorer?
Executive Trajan Langdon has so far resisted the temptation to make a splashy move at the trade deadline. His approach has been measured, preferring to gather more data and see how the current group fares before making any major decisions. "My guess is that we’ll see minor moves at the trade deadline with Langdon wanting more information and data before making a splashy move," one observer speculated. It’s a prudent strategy, given the team’s upside and conference-leading record, but the pressure to find Cunningham a co-star is mounting.
Tonight’s matchup against the Knicks at Little Caesars Arena is more than just a regular-season contest—it’s a statement game. The Pistons and Knicks are locked in a battle for Eastern Conference supremacy, and the outcome could have ripple effects throughout the league. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET, and fans can catch the action live on Peacock. The Pistons’ ability to maintain their defensive intensity and find enough offense beyond Cunningham will be put to the test in front of a raucous home crowd.
Looking back, the Pistons’ journey has been defined by perseverance and incremental growth. Last year’s playoff disappointment still stings, but this season’s surge has reignited hope in Detroit. The team’s blend of youth, toughness, and defensive prowess has made them must-watch basketball, even as the search for a second star continues.
As the Pistons’ homestand unfolds and the trade deadline looms, all eyes will remain fixed on Cunningham and his supporting cast. Will someone step up and become the Robin to his Batman, or will Langdon be forced to make a bold move to keep Detroit’s championship hopes alive? For now, the Pistons are riding high, defying the odds and making believers out of skeptics. But as the playoffs approach, the stakes—and the scrutiny—will only intensify.
For now, Detroit fans can savor the moment: their Pistons are atop the East, playing inspired basketball, and setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling second half of the season. The question of a second star may linger, but one thing’s for certain—the Motor City is back in the NBA spotlight, and they’re not backing down from anyone.
