DETROIT — The Denver Nuggets faced off against the Detroit Pistons on February 28, 2025, at Little Caesars Arena and emerged victorious, defeating the Pistons 134-119, thereby ending their eight-game winning streak. The defeat marks Detroit's first loss since February 5.
Leading the charge for the Nuggets was three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who delivered another stellar performance. Jokic recorded 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 15 assists, making history by becoming the first player to achieve such statistic combinations, according to Stathead. His efficiency was evident as he shot 50% from the field and 92% from the free-throw line, showcasing his prowess both as a scorer and playmaker.
Jamal Murray also shone brightly for Denver, finishing the night with 31 points, including five three-pointers. His recent form highlights his rising percentage beyond the arc, standing at 40.4% for the season after making 38 of his last 65 shots from deep. Murray expressed confidence in his teammates, particularly Michael Porter Jr., who bounced back from a previous tough outing to score 28 points and grab nine rebounds, demonstrating his potential as a consistent threat.
The Nuggets quickly asserted their dominance with key runs during the game, especially their decisive 15-0 surge midway through the third quarter. This burst allowed Denver to extend their lead and maintain control, even as the Pistons attempted to rally back.
On the other side of the court, the Detroit Pistons found themselves struggling, especially star guard Cade Cunningham, who had his quietest first half of the season. Cunningham was plagued by foul trouble, finishing the game with only 11 points on 3-of-12 shooting. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff acknowledged this challenge, stating, "There was a ton of traps... to try to get the ball out of [Cunningham's] hands," indicating the Nuggets’ defensive strategy targeted the Pistons' primary playmaker.
Malik Beasley led the Pistons with 16 points, including several key three-pointers to contribute during their momentary runs, but it was not enough. The Pistons bounced back from early deficits, even orchestrated by their strong bench, which outscored Denver’s bench by 32-9. Yet, the Nuggets' overall shooting — 56% from the field and 54.8% from beyond the arc — proved to be insurmountable.
Both teams faced injury challenges, with the Nuggets sidelining key player Aaron Gordon due to an ankle sprain, which limited their frontcourt depth. Gordon's absence, along with Peyton Watson’s, forced coach Michael Malone to adjust his lineup, resulting in Zeke Nnaji making significant contributions off the bench.
Despite their struggles, the Pistons' spirit showed resilience as they tried to make up lost ground. Bickerstaff noted the importance of facing teams like the Nuggets, saying, "It's great for us to have to face [this kind of team], be able to make mistakes and then learn and grow from it." This insight reflects the learning curve the Pistons face as they aim to become championship contenders.
Following the game, these two teams will look to their next challenges — the Nuggets will head to Boston for another competitive matchup, keeping their eyes on playoff positioning, whereas the Pistons will aim to bounce back quickly against the Brooklyn Nets, hoping to reestablish their winning form.
Overall, this defeat for Detroit serves as both a learning opportunity and motivation for their upcoming games. The competitive nature of the NBA season continues as teams adjust and strive for consistency, culminating with the Nuggets reinforcing their status as one of the league's top teams under Jokic's remarkable leadership.