The Detroit Pistons returned to action on January 15, 2026, with a gritty, hard-fought 108-105 victory over the Phoenix Suns at Little Caesars Arena. The win, their 29th of the season, kept Detroit perched atop the Eastern Conference and showcased the team’s trademark resilience and depth—a theme that’s been building all year for this surging squad.
Coming off a rare five-day break—just their second game in eight days—the Pistons had a chance to get healthier and recharge. The rest paid off: both Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren, previously sidelined by injuries, rejoined the starting lineup alongside Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, and Ausar Thompson. Head coach JB Bickerstaff had his preferred starting five back in action, and Detroit wasted no time setting the tone, racing out to an 11-3 start in front of an energetic home crowd.
But the Suns, led by defensive agitator Dillon Brooks, weren’t about to let the Pistons cruise. Phoenix responded with a 13-3 run to close the first quarter, putting Detroit in a 32-23 hole. The visitors extended their lead to 15 early in the second quarter, and frustration boiled over on the Pistons’ bench. Bickerstaff, audibly fired up, called two timeouts in quick succession—his voice echoing through the broadcast as he demanded more intensity from his players.
The game’s physicality ratcheted up midway through the first half, particularly in a heated showdown between rookie Ron Holland and Brooks. Early in their duel, Brooks flopped to draw a foul on Holland, only to later retaliate with a blow to Holland’s face—earning himself a flagrant foul and forcing officials to separate the two multiple times. "Holland was not going to back down," noted one observer, and the rookie’s energy soon began to tip the momentum back in Detroit’s favor. Holland finished with 11 points and nine rebounds, but his real impact came on the defensive end, where he helped force turnovers and converted bonus possessions into crucial points. "His energy and defensive tenacity were bright spots that shined through vibrantly for Detroit," recounted local coverage.
Detroit’s bench came alive as the first half wound down, with Jaden Ivey and Daniss Jenkins sparking a 17-5 run that cut into Phoenix’s lead. By halftime, the Pistons trailed 63-56, but the momentum had shifted. Ivey, in particular, was electric—scoring eight quick points in the first half and continuing his hot shooting after the break. The fourth-year guard out of Purdue finished with 15 points in just 17 minutes, draining three of his five three-point attempts and maintaining a near-point-per-minute pace.
The third quarter saw Detroit clawing back, with Duncan Robinson and Tobias Harris steadying the offense. Robinson, who led all Pistons scorers, poured in 19 points and hit four three-pointers, providing the kind of perimeter threat that kept the Suns’ defense honest. Harris, back from injury, delivered 16 points and several key buckets as Detroit closed the gap. By the end of the third, the Pistons had trimmed the deficit to just one.
Defensively, Detroit’s identity shone brightest in the final frame. The Pistons held Phoenix to just 15 points in the fourth quarter, showcasing the kind of lockdown effort that’s become their calling card. With the game tied at 94 after an Ivey three-pointer, Harris gave Detroit a slim lead with a midrange fadeaway. Moments later, Cade Cunningham—despite a tough shooting night—hit a hook shot in the lane to push the lead to four with two minutes left. Cunningham then cleverly drew Brooks’ sixth personal foul with a pump fake, sending the Suns’ top defender to the bench for the closing moments.
Bickerstaff made a bold decision, closing the game with a lineup of Holland, Thompson, Cunningham, Harris, and Duren. The move paid off: from the 3:09 mark until the final seconds, Detroit allowed just two Phoenix points, only conceding a desperate three-pointer from Grayson Allen with three seconds left. It was a true team effort, with six Pistons finishing in double figures and everyone contributing on both ends.
Jalen Duren, recently featured on the cover of SLAM Magazine, had a monster outing with 16 points and 18 rebounds, anchoring the paint and cleaning the glass relentlessly. "Duren had a huge double-double, contributing 16 points and 18 rebounds in his own right on SLAM Night," reported local media, highlighting his growing national profile. Meanwhile, Cunningham, though clearly rusty after the layoff and facing suffocating defensive pressure (often from Brooks), still managed 10 points and a game-high 11 assists—despite shooting just 3-for-16 and committing five turnovers. "Cade struggled shooting 3-for-16 with five turnovers, but he was still able to create for his teammates with 11 assists," summarized one postgame observer.
Bickerstaff’s squad didn’t make it easy on themselves—there were too many missed threes, missed free throws, and turnovers for comfort—but the Pistons’ defense and depth ultimately carried the day. The Suns, led by Brooks’ physical presence and Allen’s late three, made Detroit work for every bucket and every stop. But in the end, the Pistons’ blend of youthful energy, veteran poise, and sheer determination was enough to secure the win.
With the victory, Detroit improved to 29-10 on the season and solidified their hold on first place in the Eastern Conference. The team now enjoys a day off before hosting the struggling Indiana Pacers (9-32) in what promises to be a classic top-versus-bottom clash at Little Caesars Arena on January 17. Fans can expect another intense battle as the Pistons look to extend their dominance and continue their quest for playoff glory.
For a team that’s thrived on adversity, Wednesday night’s win was just the latest chapter in a season full of resilience and surprises. The Pistons’ mix of established stars and hungry young talent has them dreaming big—and after a night like this, who could blame them?
