When the Detroit Pistons lost Cade Cunningham for the final few weeks of the 2025-2026 NBA season, there was a real worry that dropping down from the top seed was a possibility.
After all, Cunningham was viewed as a legitimate MVP candidate for a good portion of the season. As the NBA approaches the final week of the regular season, they can literally relax for the remainder of their schedule.
A win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night gave the Pistons the key to lock up the No. 1 seed. The job is finished for now. All that is left to do is wait patiently for the playoffs and hope that Cunningham can get back to playing after suffering a collapsed lung on March 27.
How Did The Pistons Seal The Deal?
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 29: Ausar Thompson #9 and Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons celebrate after a play during the second half in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on April 29, 2025 in New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Over the last 10 games without Cunningham (leading up to this week’s start), the Pistons have lost just two matchups.
On Saturday, Pistons standout Ausar Thompson explained the team’s key to success, despite the unfortunate circumstances.
“With Cade here, we were more relaxed, we knew we had more of a superstar to get us to wins,” Thompson told ESPN. “But since he’s been gone, we all gathered around and knew we had to be more gritty, missing such a big piece. We had to make up for less offense on the defensive side. We’re just slowing the other team down, make them run their stuff late. My goal is holding every team under 100. We did that tonight.”
Defense Is Winning For Detroit
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 29: Ausar Thompson #9 of the Detroit Pistons dribbles during the third quarter in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on April 29, 2025 in New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Since the Pistons became competitive enough to play playoff basketball, they have talked like a defense-first team.
Cunningham’s playmaking and scoring bring the dazzle to the team, but the Pistons’ defensive rating is second in the NBA, trailing the NBA Champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Pistons will need Cunningham back in the mix, as he remains their top star, but they have had an opportunity to prove to themselves that they can get the job done and hold down the fort if the two-time All-Star isn’t 100%.
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