Pistons Clinch Top Seed in East with Convincing Win Over 76ers

Detroit secures home-court advantage in the playoffs for the first time since 2007

Apr. 5, 2026 at 7:25am

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The Detroit Pistons clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 116-93 road victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday. Tobias Harris scored 19 points and Daniss Jenkins contributed 16 points and 14 assists to lead the Pistons, who will have home-court advantage in the East for the first time since 2007. The Pistons improved to 8-2 since star guard Cade Cunningham suffered a collapsed lung, though he is expected to return late in the regular season.

Why it matters

The Pistons' top seed in the East secures them home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs, which could prove crucial in their quest for an NBA championship. This is the first time Detroit has had the No. 1 seed in the East since 2007, a testament to the team's impressive regular season performance despite Cunningham's injury.

The details

The Pistons dominated the 76ers, outrebounding them 45-33 and outscoring them 21-11 on second-chance opportunities. Detroit led by as many as 21 points in the fourth quarter, as the 76ers shot just 34.2% in the second half and managed only 33 points after intermission. Tyrese Maxey and Paul George were the top scorers for Philadelphia, which played without Joel Embiid in the second half of a back-to-back.

  • The Pistons clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference on Saturday, April 5, 2026.
  • Detroit has not had the top seed in the East since 2007.

The players

Tobias Harris

A forward for the Detroit Pistons who scored 19 points in the win over the 76ers.

Daniss Jenkins

A guard for the Detroit Pistons who contributed 16 points and 14 assists in the victory.

Tyrese Maxey

A guard for the Philadelphia 76ers who scored a team-high 23 points in the loss.

Paul George

A forward for the Philadelphia 76ers who scored 20 points but was limited to just 2 points in the third quarter.

Joel Embiid

The star center for the Philadelphia 76ers who did not play in the second half of the back-to-back game.

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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

The takeaway

The Pistons' top seed in the East is a testament to their impressive regular season performance, even with star player Cade Cunningham sidelined for much of the year. This home-court advantage could prove crucial as Detroit aims to win its first NBA championship since 2004.