Pistons Cruise Past Struggling Nets at Home

Detroit takes care of business against Brooklyn at Little Caesars Arena

Feb. 1, 2026 at 10:55am

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The Detroit Pistons, led by star point guard Cade Cunningham, cruised to a comfortable victory over the struggling Brooklyn Nets on Sunday evening at Little Caesars Arena. The Pistons, who entered the game with a 5.5-game cushion atop the Eastern Conference standings, took care of business at home against a Nets team that has won just 13 games so far this season.

Why it matters

This win helps the Pistons maintain their lead in the East, as they look to secure a top playoff seed. Meanwhile, the Nets' struggles continue, as they remain near the bottom of the conference standings and will likely need to secure a high draft pick to jumpstart their rebuilding efforts.

The details

The Pistons dominated from start to finish, taking advantage of a porous Nets defense. Cunningham filled up the stat sheet, recording a double-double with 18 points and 11 assists. Detroit's stifling defense held the Nets to just 107 points, well below their season average. The Pistons' balanced scoring attack and strong team defense proved too much for the undermanned and outmatched Nets.

  • The Pistons and Nets faced off on Sunday, February 1, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. EST.
  • The Pistons entered the game with a 35-12 record, while the Nets sat at 13-34.

The players

Cade Cunningham

The Pistons' star point guard, who is averaging a double-double this season and is a key reason for Detroit's success.

Brooklyn Nets

The struggling NBA franchise that has won just 13 games so far this season and is in rebuilding mode.

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What they’re saying

“We knew we had to come out and take care of business at home against a team that's been struggling. Our defense set the tone early and allowed us to control the game.”

— Cade Cunningham, Pistons Point Guard (Detroit Free Press)

What’s next

The Pistons will look to continue their strong play at home, where they have been dominant this season. The Nets, meanwhile, will try to regroup and find a way to end their recent skid as they continue their rebuilding efforts.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the stark contrast between the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons and the struggling Nets. Detroit's stifling defense and balanced scoring attack proved too much for Brooklyn, underscoring the Pistons' status as a legitimate contender in the East.