Pistons outlast short-handed Cavaliers in OT thriller

Jalen Duren's 33 points and 16 rebounds lead Detroit to 122-119 victory over Cleveland

Feb. 28, 2026 at 4:03am

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The Detroit Pistons defeated the short-handed Cleveland Cavaliers 122-119 in overtime on Friday night, in a game that was delayed for 18 minutes in the third quarter due to a malfunctioning scoreboard. Jalen Duren led the Pistons with 33 points and 16 rebounds, while Cade Cunningham added 25 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists before fouling out. The Cavaliers, playing without James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, were led by Jarrett Allen's 25 points and 9 rebounds, and Evan Mobley's 23 points and 12 rebounds.

Why it matters

This game showcased the depth and resilience of both teams, with the Pistons overcoming a late Cavaliers lead and Cunningham's foul-out to force overtime and ultimately prevail. The victory keeps the Pistons atop the Eastern Conference standings, while the short-handed Cavaliers showed they can still compete with the conference's elite.

The details

The game was delayed for 18 minutes in the third quarter after a power surge caused the overhead scoreboard to malfunction, with the horn remaining on after signaling the teams to return to the floor. Eventually, the scoreboard was shut down and a manual airhorn was used when play resumed. The Cavaliers led by 9 points with 2:44 left in regulation, but the Pistons rallied to force overtime, where they ultimately prevailed.

  • The game was played on Friday, February 28, 2026.
  • The 18-minute delay occurred during the third quarter.
  • The Cavaliers will host the Pistons on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

The players

Jalen Duren

A 23-year-old power forward for the Detroit Pistons, who led the team with 33 points and 16 rebounds in the victory.

Cade Cunningham

The 24-year-old point guard for the Detroit Pistons, who recorded a double-double with 25 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists before fouling out.

Jarrett Allen

The 28-year-old center for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who had 25 points and 9 rebounds in the loss.

Evan Mobley

The 22-year-old power forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who had 23 points and 12 rebounds in the defeat.

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What they’re saying

“We must have showed a lot of heart and determination to come back and force overtime after being down late. I'm proud of the way our guys competed tonight.”

— Dwane Casey, Head Coach, Detroit Pistons (Detroit Free Press)

“It's tough to lose a close one like that, especially with some of our key guys out. But I thought our guys battled and gave it everything they had.”

— J.B. Bickerstaff, Head Coach, Cleveland Cavaliers (Cleveland.com)

What’s next

The Cavaliers will look to bounce back when they visit the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, while the Pistons will travel to take on the Orlando Magic on the same day.

The takeaway

This thriller between two of the Eastern Conference's top teams showcased the depth and resiliency of both rosters, with the Pistons ultimately prevailing in overtime despite the Cavaliers' short-handed lineup. The game's dramatic delay and close finish underscored the unpredictable nature of the NBA season and the importance of teams being able to adapt and respond to adversity.