AUSTIN, Texas — The Detroit Pistons continued their impressive streak by defeating the San Antonio Spurs 125-110 on February 21, 2025, at the Moody Center. This victory marked the Pistons' fifth consecutive win, all by double digits, as they step up their push for the playoffs.
All-Star Cade Cunningham led the charge for Detroit with 25 points and 12 assists, showcasing his talent on both ends of the floor. Alongside him, Jalen Duren dominated the paint, contributing 21 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists, underscoring the Pistons' effectiveness inside. Tobias Harris also made his mark with 22 points and 7 rebounds, making it yet another well-rounded performance for Detroit.
The Pistons wasted no time establishing their dominance, jumping out to a quick start with a 13-2 run, thanks to aggressive defense and effective offensive plays. This set the tone for the rest of the game, as they rapidly built up a significant lead. Detroit swiftly expanded this advantage to 30-17, bolstered by back-to-back three-pointers from Malik Beasley.
Despite the initial surge from the Pistons, the Spurs showed resilience. After their star player, Victor Wembanyama, was ruled out for the season due to blood clots, the Spurs had their backs against the wall. Nevertheless, they managed to rally briefly, with Chris Paul and De'Aaron Fox leading the comeback efforts.
Fox, who joined the Spurs via trade, had 27 points and was pivotal during key stretches. Keldon Johnson led San Antonio with 28 points, but the team struggled to keep pace with the visiting Pistons, especially as the defensive pressure increased.
Cunningham's timely return to the floor after going on the bench did briefly allow the Spurs to gain their first lead at 42-41. Yet, the Pistons responded effectively, with Cunningham hitting a late three-pointer to regain the lead heading to halftime, 63-62.
The third quarter was where Detroit truly took command. They opened the half with a blistering 16-0 run, with Cunningham's shooting being at the helm. This explosion put the Pistons firmly back in control with a 79-64 lead, leaving San Antonio scrambling to recover.
Domination continued under the basket, where the Pistons significantly outscored the Spurs. Duren's performance meant Detroit maintained their punishing play style, consistently exploiting mismatches and securing rebounds. Coming out of halftime, they outscored San Antonio 24-6 at the rim, contributing to what became one of the most decisive factors of the match.
Coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised his team’s overall performance, especially their efforts to establish dominance early and maintain it throughout the game. "We’ve been working on our interior presence, and tonight it showed," Bickerstaff said. "Jalen and Cade have formed a great dynamic duo, and it’s exciting for us moving forward.”
The performance of Tobias Harris also drew attention, as he has been consistently scoring throughout this stretch. Harris has scored in double figures nine times out of the last ten games, demonstrating not just his scoring ability but also his efficiency—shooting over 53% from the field during this span.
Meanwhile, the Spurs are faced with tough questions following Wembanyama’s absence. Despite their loss, De’Aaron Fox remarked, “We’ve got to come together and put forth our best effort. Vic was incredible, but we still have games to compete.” Coach Mitch Johnson remains optimistic about Wembanyama’s future. “Long-term, we have no concerns about Victor’s health both personally and professionally,” he commented after the game.
Entering the final period, the Pistons held onto their significant lead of 101-80, cruising to their victory and firmly establishing themselves as formidable contenders for the playoffs. With these efforts, they have solidified their place within the tightly contested Eastern Conference.
Now sitting at 30-26 overall, the Pistons are not just aiming for a playoff berth but also proving their mettle as teams face their final stretch of the regular season.
Looking back at the game, it’s evident the Pistons have found their rhythm. With pivotal games remaining, the momentum from this match will be key as they strive for postseason play. Fans can expect more exciting performances from the Pistons as they gear up and aim for their playoff ambitions.
For the Spurs, the season continues to hold challenges as they adjust to the loss of their centerpiece player. They will need to rally their remaining roster members and find ways to generate scoring to maintain competitiveness.
With their playoff hopes on the line, how San Antonio responds to this setback will be pivotal going forward.