When the Detroit Pistons moved into first place in the Eastern Conference with an 18-point win over the Brooklyn Nets, the team reached an important position that symbolizes how far the organization has come.

Just two seasons prior, the Pistons lost an NBA record 28 consecutive games, and the future was exceedingly bleak in Detroit. Still, Cade Cunningham stayed dedicated and grinded out a difficult season. After that, the Pistons experienced a taste of success last year and had a brief appearance in the playoffs, and that massive jump set the table for a 2025-26 season loaded full of expectation and promise.

So far, the Pistons have delivered in spades.

At the moment, the Pistons sit atop the Eastern Conference with a 7-2 record and are red hot amid a five-game winning streak. Detroit is now 1-0 in the NBA Cup with its recent victory over the Nets, and both Cade and Jalen Duren are imposing their will on other point guards and big men. In the last game, Cade and JD combined for 64 points, and as a whole the Pistons scored 80 points in the paint against Brooklyn, two staggering stats that told the tale of how the game progressed.

As the showrunner in Detroit, Cunningham has shown a clutch gene that is not present in the average player. Cunningham leads the NBA in fourth quarter scoring with 11.5 points per game, and he's had consecutive 19-point final quarters during the Pistons' winning streak.

Pistons Dominating Despite Smaller Cast

So, Cade is pulling the strings like a marionette, and the Pistons are doing all of this without a healthy lineup. Detroit has had at least three players on the injury report for each game this season, so the squad is likely to gain depth as the season goes on. 

All-Star Alert: Jalen Duren An Unstoppable Force In Eastern Conference Pistons center Jalen Duren has played a huge role in the team’s 7-2 start

On Saturday, the Pistons announced that guard Marcus Sasser will remain out for approximately four weeks before his right hip impingement will be reevaluated. Sasser's hip injury has held him out of Detroit's nine regular season games thus far this season, though he did record limited minutes in the Pistons' first two preseason games. 

Apart from Sasser's hip issue, forward Tobias Harris has missed the last two Detroit wins due to a right ankle sprain, though his sprain is not believed to be serious. In Harris' place, the Pistons have opted to start Isaiah Stewart, but Beef Stew went down during the second quarter of Detroit's win over the Nets with a rolled ankle. Stewart was held out of the second half on Friday night, so his status is doubtful before the Pistons battle the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night as well. 

READ MORE: Pistons To Be Without Guard For Approximately Four Weeks

Of course, Pistons guard Jaden Ivey is still out as he recovers from knee surgery, and this is a big blow for Detroit's lineup as Ivey was predicted to be a starter heading into the season. Ivey is an explosive player who can energize the transition game and score as a talented No. 2 option opposite of Cunningham, so the Pistons are expected to pick up an offensive boost when Ivey reenters the lineup. 

Now, the Pistons did recently sign center Isaac Jones off free agency waivers a few days ago, so Detroit has filled its final roster spot. Jones could help provide some depth at the four with Harris and Stewart both battling ankle injuries at the moment.

The Pistons will travel to Philadelphia for a game against the 76ers on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 7:30 pm.

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