Pistons Edge Nuggets In Thrilling Ball Arena Showdown

The Detroit Pistons continue to ride high atop the Eastern Conference after a nail-biting 109-107 victory over the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on January 27, 2026. This late-night thriller had everything: clutch plays, unexpected heroes, and a dramatic finish that saw the Pistons escape with their 34th win of the season. For fans tuning in via FanDuel Sports Network Detroit, Fubo, or DirecTV Stream, it was a game that delivered on every bit of anticipation.

Heading into the contest, Detroit boasted a 33-11 record and the best away mark in the Eastern Conference at 14-6, while Denver—third in the West at 31-15—was forced to dig deep without several key starters. The absence of two-time MVP Nikola Jokic (knee), Aaron Gordon (hamstring), Cameron Johnson (knee), and Christian Braun (ankle) put the Nuggets at a disadvantage, but they refused to go quietly. Jamal Murray, listed as probable before tipoff due to a hamstring issue, suited up and led all scorers with 24 points, earning 15 trips to the free-throw line, though it would be his missed opportunities at the charity stripe late that ultimately defined Denver’s fate.

The Pistons, meanwhile, were coming off a dominant 139-116 win over the Sacramento Kings, with Cade Cunningham pouring in 29 points and 11 assists. Cunningham’s MVP case has only grown stronger this season. Averaging 25.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and a league-leading 9.7 assists per game, he’s missed just six games and has been the heartbeat of Detroit’s resurgence. Against Denver, Cunningham showed he’s shaken off any lingering wrist issues, finishing with 22 points on 9-of-17 shooting, 11 assists, and—remarkably—zero turnovers.

But the night belonged to Tobias Harris, who marked his 1,000th NBA game in style. Harris was in vintage form, scoring 22 points on a hyper-efficient 10-of-15 from the field, and repeatedly stalling Denver’s comeback attempts. With the Pistons clinging to a one-point lead and the clock winding down, Detroit turned to their veteran. Harris coolly surveyed the floor, found his spot, and drilled a 16-foot fadeaway jumper—ultimately the game-winner. According to the game recap, "It’s no surprise that the Pistons put the ball in Tobias’ hands when they needed a basket most. With the clock running down, he didn’t panic. He got into position, created the space he needed, and hit the 16-foot fadeaway."

The contest was a tug-of-war from the opening tip. Detroit’s balanced attack saw six players score in double figures, while the shorthanded Nuggets leaned on Murray, Tim Hardaway, and Bruce Brown—both former Pistons—who chipped in 14 points apiece. Brown got Denver off to a hot start, and Hardaway drilled crucial threes in the final minutes to keep the Nuggets within striking distance.

The game’s most surprising moment came courtesy of Duncan Robinson. The sharpshooter, mired in perhaps the worst shooting night of his young Pistons career, had missed all eight of his three-point attempts. But when it mattered most, Detroit coach Monty Williams drew up a play that caught everyone off guard. With less than a minute to play and the Pistons up by one, Robinson made a hard cut into the lane, received a pinpoint pass from Javonte Green, and threw down a dunk for his first points of the night. The unexpected bucket pushed Detroit’s lead back to four, though Denver quickly answered to make it a one-point game again.

Then came the drama. Javonte Green, who had contributed 11 points and four steals, was whistled for fouling Jamal Murray on consecutive three-point attempts in the dying seconds. With the crowd roaring and the pressure mounting, Murray went to the line—twice—with a chance to tie or take the lead. But the basketball gods had other plans. Murray missed crucial free throws on both trips, and the Pistons held on for the win. As one recap put it, "The aforementioned Green (and the refs) made things more interesting than they should have been by calling Green for fouls on consecutive Jamal Murray 3-point attempts. But Murray failed to convert at the line on both trips, and Detroit escaped with the victory."

Detroit’s defense, the second-best in the NBA with a 108.6 rating, was put to the test against Denver’s league-leading offense (120.7 points per game). Despite missing their offensive engine in Jokic, the Nuggets managed to keep pace, thanks in part to Murray’s relentless drives and the timely contributions of their bench. Still, Detroit’s ability to force tough shots and limit turnovers—Cunningham’s clean sheet in the assist-to-turnover column was especially impressive—proved decisive.

On the injury front, Detroit was without Caris LeVert (illness), but the depth of their roster shone through. Jalen Duren, who had recently scored 18 points against Sacramento, continued to anchor the paint, while Isaiah Stewart and Ausar Thompson played key roles defensively. For Denver, the revolving door of injuries forced coach Michael Malone to experiment with lineups, giving extended minutes to players like Jalen Pickett, Spencer Jones, and Zeke Nnaji.

The win pushed Detroit’s record to 34-11, further solidifying their status as the East’s top team. The Pistons now look ahead to the next stop on their Western road swing, facing the Phoenix Suns in what promises to be another high-stakes matchup. For Denver, the loss stings, but the fight they showed—while severely shorthanded—offers hope as they await the return of their stars.

Fans who tuned in on FanDuel Sports Network Detroit, Altitude Sports, or via streaming on Fubo were treated to a game that showcased the best of NBA competition: resilience, drama, and a little bit of luck. As the Pistons move forward, their blend of veteran leadership and youthful energy continues to make them one of the league’s most compelling stories. And for Denver, the return of Jokic and Gordon can’t come soon enough. But for one night in Ball Arena, it was Detroit’s poise—and a bit of misfortune for Jamal Murray—that made all the difference.