The Detroit Pistons stormed into Rocket Arena on Sunday, January 4, 2026, and delivered a statement win against the Cleveland Cavaliers, toppling their Eastern Conference rivals 114-110 in a game that had just about everything: clutch performances, franchise records, and a dramatic finish that snapped years of futility in Cleveland. For the Pistons, who came in shorthanded and carrying a nine-game losing streak at Rocket Arena, this was more than just a regular-season victory—it was a signal to the rest of the NBA that the East’s top seed is for real.
Detroit entered the afternoon without two of their regular starters, Tobias Harris (hip) and Jalen Duren (ankle), as well as key reserve Caris LeVert (knee). Harris, described by head coach JB Bickerstaff as his “safety blanket,” is expected to be out for several weeks. The Pistons’ depth was tested, but it was precisely their bench that delivered the knockout punch.
Cade Cunningham, the Pistons’ rising star, led the way with 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists. Yet it was rookie guard Daniss Jenkins who stole the show and etched his name into the Pistons’ record books. Jenkins erupted for 21 points in the second quarter alone—on perfect 7-for-7 shooting, including six three-pointers and a three-point play—setting a new franchise record for points by a Detroit reserve in a single quarter. He finished with 25 points and 5 assists, providing the Pistons with a crucial spark when they needed it most.
“When you’re missing guys like Tobias and Jalen, you need someone to step up,” Bickerstaff said after the game. “Daniss gave us that lift, and everyone fed off his energy.”
The Cavaliers, coached by Kenny Atkinson, were coming off a win against the Denver Nuggets and had momentum on their side. They’d dominated Detroit in recent years, winning nine of the previous ten meetings, and looked to keep their own hot streak alive. But the Pistons had other ideas. After a sluggish first quarter, Detroit exploded for a season-high 47 points in the second, flipping a 28-19 deficit into a 66-56 halftime lead. Jenkins’ outburst was the story of the half, but the entire Pistons rotation contributed, with Duncan Robinson chipping in 12 points and Paul Reed adding 8 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists.
The Cavaliers weren’t about to go quietly. Donovan Mitchell, who finished with a game-high 30 points (23 of them after halftime), tried to will his team back into contention. Cleveland trailed by as many as 13 points with less than five minutes to play, but Mitchell spearheaded a 9-0 run, slicing the deficit to just four points with under three minutes remaining. Darius Garland (16 points, 6 assists) and Sam Merrill (15 points, all on three-pointers) kept the Cavs within striking distance, but they couldn’t quite get over the hump.
“You can’t spot a team like Detroit a big lead and expect to claw all the way back,” Atkinson remarked postgame. “We showed fight, but we’ve got to be better for a full 48 minutes.”
The game’s final sequence was a heart-stopper. With 17.2 seconds left and the Cavs down two, Mitchell drove into the lane but was stripped by Isaiah Stewart, allowing Ausar Thompson to soar in for a tip-in that put Detroit up 110-106. After a pair of free throws from Daniss Jenkins and a quick three from Sam Merrill made it 112-110, Jenkins calmly knocked down two more from the stripe with 3.2 seconds left, sealing the Pistons’ win. Cleveland’s last-gasp three-point attempt from Mitchell clanged off the rim, and the Pistons’ bench erupted in celebration.
Detroit’s victory was remarkable not just for the ending, but for how they executed in key moments. The Pistons were a perfect 21-for-21 from the free-throw line, with Cunningham going 11-for-11. Their defense, anchored by Stewart and Thompson, forced 17 Cleveland turnovers and limited the Cavs to just 43.8% shooting from the floor. Jenkins’ six threes in one quarter tied him for the most by a Pistons reserve in franchise history, and his 21 points surpassed the previous single-quarter reserve record held by Ron Holland (2024) and Jodie Meeks (2014).
“It’s a great feeling to come in here and finally get a win,” Cunningham said. “We knew what was at stake, and we played for each other. Daniss was unbelievable. That’s what makes this team special—anyone can step up.”
The Cavaliers, meanwhile, saw their three-game winning streak snapped and continue to search for consistency amid a season marred by injuries. Jarrett Allen (illness), Sam Merrill (ankle), and Dean Wade (knee) were all questionable before tipoff, and Atkinson acknowledged the team’s need to get healthy if they hope to make a run in the Eastern Conference. Evan Mobley contributed 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists, but the Cavs’ frontcourt struggled to control the glass, surrendering 14 offensive rebounds to Detroit.
“We’ve got to rebound better and take care of the ball,” Mobley said. “It’s tough when you give a team that many second chances.”
The win keeps the Pistons atop the Eastern Conference standings, strengthening their hold on the No. 1 seed as the season approaches its midpoint. Their next challenge comes quickly, as they return home to host the New York Knicks on Monday. The Cavaliers, still battling for playoff position, will travel to Indiana to face the Pacers on Tuesday.
For Detroit, Sunday’s win was about more than just breaking a losing streak in Cleveland. It was a showcase of resilience, depth, and the kind of chemistry that championship contenders are built on. With Cunningham leading the charge and new heroes emerging off the bench, the Pistons have sent a clear message to the rest of the league: they’re not just the East’s best team on paper—they’re proving it on the court, one big win at a time.
