Pistons Look to Extend Winning Streak Against Hornets

Detroit visits Charlotte in key late-season NBA matchup

Apr. 9, 2026 at 11:38pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette of blue, red, and yellow.The Pistons and Hornets clash in a pivotal late-season NBA matchup, with both teams fighting for playoff positioning.Charlotte Today

The Detroit Pistons (58-22) will travel to Spectrum Center to take on the Charlotte Hornets (43-37) in a Friday night NBA showdown. The Pistons are coming off a dominant 137-111 win over the Bucks, while the Hornets are looking to bounce back from a 113-102 loss to the Celtics.

Why it matters

This game has playoff implications, as the Pistons are battling for a top seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Hornets are trying to solidify their position in the postseason race. The outcome could impact the final standings and seeding for the upcoming NBA playoffs.

The details

In their last game, the Pistons shot the ball extremely well, converting 17 of 50 attempts from 3-point range and 48 of 84 overall (57.1%). Jalen Duren had a standout performance, scoring 21 points on 8-of-9 shooting and grabbing 9 rebounds. The Hornets, on the other hand, struggled against the Celtics, shooting just 43.2% from the field and 32.7% from 3-point range. LaMelo Ball led the way for Charlotte with 36 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds.

  • The game will be played on Friday, April 10, 2026.
  • Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern Time.

The players

Jalen Duren

A key contributor for the Pistons, Duren finished the last game shooting 88.9% from the field and dishing out 3 assists in 28 minutes of action.

LaMelo Ball

The star point guard for the Hornets, Ball had 36 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds in Charlotte's previous game against the Celtics.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must continue to play with the same energy and execution that we showed against the Bucks. It's going to be a tough road game, but we're ready for the challenge.”

— Dwane Casey, Head Coach, Detroit Pistons

“We need to bounce back quickly and find a way to get a win at home. Our fans deserve it, and we owe it to ourselves to get back on track.”

— James Borrego, Head Coach, Charlotte Hornets

What’s next

The winner of this game will take a step closer to securing a favorable playoff position, while the loser will need to regroup and focus on their remaining schedule.

The takeaway

This late-season matchup between the Pistons and Hornets has significant implications for the Eastern Conference playoff race. Both teams will be looking to gain an edge as they jockey for position heading into the postseason.