The Philadelphia 76ers entered the second leg of their back-to-back set against one of the most challenging opponents possible: the Detroit Pistons.
All the Pistons needed was one win, and they locked up the Eastern Conference’s top seed. That says everything about the way they have played this season, and continue to play, even without their star guard, Cade Cunningham, on the floor.
Following Saturday’s Sixers beatdown by Detroit, Philly’s All-Star Tyrese Maxey gave an honest assessment of the East’s top team.
Tyrese Makes An Honest Statement On The Pistons
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 3: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the San Antonio Spurs in the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 3, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Here’s what Tyrese Maxey said about the Pistons:
âThey play hard, and they play the right way. Today was the first game that I played where they just kind of jumped on us earlyâkind of gave it to us early. ⦠They are definitely a good team. They played hard, they play the right way, and they play together. Well-coached.â
The Pistons lost their top scorer and playmaker to a collapsed lung weeks ago, and they didn’t miss a beat.
That’s not to say the Pistons are better off without their two-time All-Star, but it just shows how much they have it clicking this year.
The Pistons’ scoring leader was the former Sixer, Tobias Harris. He shot 7-13 from the field to score 19 points in 27 minutes.
Jalen Duren accounted for 16 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, while the starting guard Daniss Jenkins logged a double-double with 16 points and 14 assists.
The Pistons delivered a beatdown with a 116-93 victory.
Detroit Pistons Pick Up The Top Seed
GettyDETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 15: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons celebrates a first half basket with Tobias Harris #12 while playing the Phoenix Suns at Little Caesars Arena on January 15, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
With a 57-21 record, the Pistons are No. 1 in the East heading into the playoffs.
Could the Sixers and the Pistons meet in round one? It’s not impossible, but unlikely.
The Sixers have a shot at avoiding the Play-In. While the Toronto Raptors temporarily took over the sixth seed, the Sixers trail them by just 0.5 games. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat (10th seed) trails Philadelphia by 2.0 games.
With the Play-In, anything can happen for the four teams involved. The Pistons will have a couple of weeks before they figure out if they’ll get a seven-game series with the Sixers or not.
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