Pistons Poised to Clinch No. 1 Seed in East

Detroit could secure top spot with Bucks win over Celtics on Friday

Apr. 3, 2026 at 7:39pm

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A fractured, geometric painting in bold colors depicting the energy and movement of a basketball game or competition, with no recognizable figures or logos.The Pistons' quest for the No. 1 seed in the East is captured in a dynamic, cubist-inspired illustration.Minneapolis Today

The Detroit Pistons are on the verge of clinching the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time since 2007, needing just a win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday or a Boston Celtics loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday to lock up the top spot.

Why it matters

Securing the No. 1 seed would give the Pistons home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs as they look to make a deep postseason run, especially with star Cade Cunningham sidelined due to a collapsed lung.

The details

The Pistons currently hold a 4.5-game lead over the Celtics for the No. 1 seed with five games left. They can clinch the top spot on Friday if the Bucks can upset the Celtics, or they can lock it up themselves with a win over the 76ers on Saturday. Detroit has thrived without Cunningham, going 8-2 in his absence.

  • The Pistons play the 76ers on Saturday, April 5 at 7:00 p.m. ET.
  • The Bucks face the Celtics on Friday, April 4 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

The players

Detroit Pistons

An NBA franchise based in Detroit, Michigan that is on the verge of clinching the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time in nearly 20 years.

Cade Cunningham

The Pistons' star player who has been sidelined with a collapsed lung, but the team has continued to thrive in his absence.

Daniss Jenkins

The Pistons' guard who has stepped up in Cunningham's absence, scoring in double figures in 9 of his last 10 games.

Boston Celtics

The Pistons' closest competitor for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, currently 4.5 games behind Detroit.

Milwaukee Bucks

The team that could help the Pistons clinch the No. 1 seed if they can defeat the Celtics on Friday night.

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What’s next

If the Pistons clinch the No. 1 seed, they will have home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs as they look to make a deep postseason run.

The takeaway

The Pistons' ability to thrive without their star player Cade Cunningham has put them in prime position to secure the No. 1 seed in the East, a remarkable accomplishment that could pay dividends in the playoffs.