Pistons Earn No. 1 Seed in East, Await Play-In Tournament Winner

Detroit finishes regular season with 60-22 record, will face 8th seed in first round

Apr. 13, 2026 at 2:05am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in vibrant shades of blue, red, and white, breaking down a basketball game into sharp, overlapping geometric planes, conceptually representing the Pistons' well-rounded team and their potential for a successful playoff run.The Pistons' dominant regular season has them poised for a deep playoff run, with their balanced scoring attack and stifling defense making them a formidable opponent.Today in Detroit

The Detroit Pistons secured the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs after finishing the regular season with a 60-22 record, capped off by a 133-121 win over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday night. The Pistons will now await the winner of the Play-In Tournament to determine their first-round opponent.

Why it matters

The Pistons' strong regular season performance earned them the top seed in the East, giving them home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. As the favorites in the conference, they will look to make a deep postseason run and potentially capture their first NBA championship since 2004.

The details

The Pistons were led by their star duo of Cade Cunningham and Jalen Green, who both had standout seasons. Cunningham averaged 23.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game, while Green put up 21.5 points per contest. Detroit's balanced scoring attack and stifling defense were key factors in their success.

  • The Pistons finished the regular season on Sunday, April 13, 2026.
  • The NBA Play-In Tournament will take place from April 15-18, 2026.

The players

Cade Cunningham

The Pistons' star point guard, who averaged a near triple-double during the regular season.

Jalen Green

Detroit's high-scoring shooting guard, who was a key contributor to the team's success.

Detroit Pistons

The No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, looking to make a deep postseason run.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to be in this position, but we know the real work is just beginning. We're going to enjoy this for a moment, then get right back to preparing for the playoffs.”

— Dwane Casey, Head Coach, Detroit Pistons

What’s next

The Pistons will await the winner of the Play-In Tournament, which will determine their first-round opponent in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The takeaway

The Pistons' impressive regular season has set them up as the team to beat in the East, but they will need to maintain their high level of play in the postseason to make a championship run. Their depth and two-way talent make them a formidable opponent for any team in the NBA.