Pistons Dominate Lakers As Cunningham Shines In Blowout

The Los Angeles Lakers entered their December 31, 2025, matchup against the Detroit Pistons at Crypto.com Arena looking to build on the momentum of a much-needed win over the Sacramento Kings. Just two nights prior, the Lakers had snapped a three-game losing streak with a resounding 125-101 victory, a performance that forward Jake LaRavia described as a "real together game" where "defensively we all had each other's backs." Spirits were high, and there was hope that the positive energy from a team meeting and intense practice could spark a new winning streak for the purple and gold.

But the Pistons, owners of the best record in the Eastern Conference at 24-8, arrived in Los Angeles desperate to avoid their first three-game skid of the season. After suffering consecutive losses to the Utah Jazz and LA Clippers, Detroit was weary from a grueling West Coast road trip, but determined to right the ship before heading home. With Cade Cunningham leading the charge and a deep supporting cast, the Pistons presented a formidable challenge for the Lakers, who entered the night at 20-10.

Lineups for the contest featured plenty of star power. The Lakers started Luka Doncic, Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia, LeBron James, and DeAndre Ayton, with LaRavia stepping in for the injured Rui Hachimura, who was sidelined for about a week with a calf injury according to head coach JJ Redick. LaRavia was making his 10th start of the season, coming off a stretch where he averaged 10.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.0 three-pointers, 1.2 steals, and 0.8 blocks over his previous five games. The Pistons countered with Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, and Jalen Duren.

From the opening tip, both teams traded baskets, with Luka Doncic quickly notching five points and DeAndre Ayton adding four. Tobias Harris got off to a hot start for Detroit, and Marcus Smart and LaRavia chipped in on the defensive end with assists and steals. But the Lakers' early defensive struggles were apparent as Cunningham poured in 10 first-quarter points, helping the Pistons build a six-point lead by the end of the period. The Lakers' defense was leaky, and Detroit found transition opportunities as expected.

The second quarter saw the Pistons extend their advantage, with Cunningham continuing his offensive onslaught. He finished the first half with 20 points, much of it coming at the expense of LaRavia, who had the unenviable task of trying to keep the Pistons' star in check. LaRavia's night took a tough turn with under four minutes left in the half when he was struck in the face by an elbow from Jalen Duren, resulting in a flagrant foul 1. LaRavia, after sinking both free throws, was ushered to the locker room for evaluation but managed to return to the game after being cleared by team medical staff.

Despite the adversity, the Lakers clawed back into contention. LeBron James stopped the bleeding with a timely three-pointer, and he and Doncic combined for 10 points in the second quarter to keep Los Angeles within striking distance. Jarred Vanderbilt provided a spark off the bench with two three-pointers, and by halftime, the Lakers had trimmed the deficit to just five points, though the Pistons had repeatedly pushed it back to double digits.

Coming out of the break, Los Angeles made an early run, scoring seven quick points to make it a one-point game. But each time the Lakers threatened to seize momentum, Detroit had an answer. The Pistons' bench, led by Jaden Ivey and Marcus Sasser, thoroughly outplayed the Lakers' reserves, outscoring them 43 to 19 in the third quarter alone. Jaxson Hayes emerged as the third Laker in double figures, but the deficit remained eight points heading into the final frame.

The fourth quarter was all Detroit. Jaden Ivey drilled a three-pointer to open the period, pushing the lead to 11. Ayton, battling foul trouble, picked up his fifth, further hampering the Lakers' interior defense. Marcus Sasser continued his hot shooting, and the Pistons' bench dominance extended to a staggering 65-34 advantage by game's end. The Lakers' offense unraveled, and their effort waned as the turnover count ballooned to 20. With just over four minutes remaining, head coach JJ Redick emptied the bench, signaling the contest was out of reach.

When the final buzzer sounded, the scoreboard told a brutal story: Detroit Pistons 128, Los Angeles Lakers 106. The Pistons dominated the paint, outscoring the Lakers 74-44, and their relentless bench play overwhelmed Los Angeles at every turn. Luka Doncic led the Lakers with a valiant 30-point, 5-rebound, 11-assist performance, while LeBron James added 17 points and 4 assists. Jaxson Hayes finished with 13 points, DeAndre Ayton with 10, and Jake LaRavia contributed 9 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals despite his difficult assignment and the painful flagrant foul he endured. Marcus Smart chipped in with 5 assists and 3 steals, and Jarred Vanderbilt added 8 points and 8 rebounds off the bench.

For the Pistons, Cade Cunningham was the undisputed star, setting the tone early and finishing with a dominant performance that left the Lakers scrambling for answers. Detroit's balanced attack and defensive intensity were too much for Los Angeles, who struggled to match the visitors' energy and execution—especially in the decisive fourth quarter.

After the game, the Lakers were left searching for answers. The optimism generated by their previous win evaporated under the Pistons' relentless pressure. Jake LaRavia, whose recent play had been a bright spot, experienced both the highs and lows of NBA life in a single night—starting in place of Hachimura, battling through injury, and facing the wrath of social media after being crossed up by Cunningham. Still, he showed resilience, returning to the floor and contributing on both ends.

The Lakers now turn their attention to their next challenge: a home matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 3, 2026. With Hachimura expected to remain sidelined for at least another week, LaRavia and the rest of the supporting cast will need to regroup quickly. The loss to Detroit served as a stark reminder of the importance of consistent effort, defensive focus, and bench production—areas the Lakers must address if they hope to keep pace in the competitive Western Conference.

For the Pistons, the victory snapped their brief losing streak and reaffirmed their status as one of the East's elite squads. As they finally head home after a marathon road trip, Detroit can take pride in a job well done—while the Lakers are left to pick up the pieces and search for answers ahead of a new year.