Pistons Clinch Central Division Title with Win Over Raptors

Detroit secures first division crown since 2008 behind strong performances from Duren, Jenkins, and Robinson.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 2:36am

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The Detroit Pistons defeated the Toronto Raptors 127-116 on Tuesday night, clinching the Central Division title for the first time since 2008. The Pistons were led by Jalen Duren's 31 points and nine rebounds, along with solid contributions from Daniss Jenkins and Duncan Robinson. The win improved Detroit's record to 55-21 on the season.

Why it matters

The Pistons' Central Division title is a significant milestone for the franchise, which has struggled to find consistent success in recent years. This division crown represents a major step forward in the team's rebuilding efforts and could provide momentum heading into the playoffs.

The details

The Pistons were able to bounce back from a tough loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder the previous night, thanks in large part to the return of several injured players. Jalen Duren, Tobias Harris, and Duncan Robinson all rejoined the lineup and made immediate impacts, with Duren leading the way with an efficient 31-point, 9-rebound performance.

  • The Pistons defeated the Raptors on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
  • The Pistons' last Central Division title came in 2008.

The players

Jalen Duren

A 23-year-old center for the Detroit Pistons who had a dominant 31-point, 9-rebound game in the division-clinching win.

Daniss Jenkins

A 25-year-old guard for the Detroit Pistons who scored 21 points and dished out 5 assists in the victory.

Duncan Robinson

A 27-year-old sharpshooter for the Detroit Pistons who knocked down 5 three-pointers and finished with 19 points.

RJ Barrett

A 24-year-old forward for the Toronto Raptors who led his team with 24 points and 6 rebounds in the loss.

Brandon Ingram

A 27-year-old forward for the Toronto Raptors who scored 22 points on 7-of-15 shooting.

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What they’re saying

“This is a huge accomplishment for our team and organization. We've been working hard all season to get to this point, and I'm proud of the effort our guys have put in.”

— Dwane Casey, Head Coach, Detroit Pistons

“It's always tough to lose, but we have to give credit to the Pistons. They played a great game and deserved to win the division. We'll learn from this and come back stronger.”

— Nick Nurse, Head Coach, Toronto Raptors

What’s next

The Pistons will look to build momentum heading into the playoffs, where they will aim to make a deep postseason run and potentially capture their first NBA championship since 2004.

The takeaway

The Pistons' Central Division title represents a significant milestone in the team's rebuilding process, showcasing the progress they have made and the potential they have to become a perennial contender in the Eastern Conference.