Pistons Clinch No. 1 Seed in East with Win Over Sixers

Detroit uses stifling defense to cruise past a tired Philadelphia team and secure the top spot in the conference.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 1:49am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Detroit Pistons clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference with a dominant 116-93 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. Led by Tobias Harris' 19 points and Daniss Jenkins' double-double, the Pistons used a suffocating second-half defense to pull away from the tired Sixers squad. Despite missing star Cade Cunningham, the Pistons have now won 8 of their last 10 games and have a chance to reach 60 wins on the season.

Why it matters

The Pistons' turnaround from a laughingstock two years ago to the No. 1 seed in the East is a remarkable accomplishment, showcasing the team's depth, defensive intensity, and ability to win without their top player. Clinching the top spot in the conference gives Detroit home-court advantage throughout the playoffs as they look to make a deep postseason run.

The details

The Pistons jumped out to a 10-point lead after the first quarter, but the Sixers battled back to tie the game at 56 midway through the second. Detroit then closed the half on a 15-4 run to take a 71-60 advantage into the break. The game flipped in the third quarter as the Pistons' defense clamped down, holding the Sixers to just 27 points in the second half. Detroit shot nearly 50% from the field and 40% from three-point range, dishing out 33 assists.

  • The Pistons clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference with the win on April 5, 2026.
  • Detroit has now won 8 of its last 10 games since star Cade Cunningham went down with a collapsed lung.

The players

Tobias Harris

A former Sixer who scored 19 points and had 4 steals, seemingly relishing the opportunity to play against his former team.

Daniss Jenkins

The Pistons' point guard who had a double-double with 16 points and 14 assists, stepping up in Cade Cunningham's absence.

Paul George

The Sixers' star who scored 18 points in the first half to keep his team in the game, but couldn't overcome Detroit's stifling defense in the second half.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The Pistons will look to secure the top seed in the Eastern Conference with their remaining four games of the regular season.

The takeaway

The Pistons' remarkable turnaround from a struggling team to the No. 1 seed in the East showcases their defensive intensity, depth, and ability to win without their star player. This team is poised for a deep playoff run as they aim to become just the third Pistons squad in franchise history to win 60 games in a season.