Pistons Struggle Against Spurs' Stifling Defense

Cade Cunningham's 26-point effort not enough as Detroit falls to playoff-bound San Antonio

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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In a 121-106 loss to the Spurs, Pistons star Cade Cunningham struggled to find open looks against San Antonio's swarming defense led by Stephon Castle and Carter Bryant. Cunningham finished with 26 points but took 26 shots and had 4 turnovers, as the Spurs' defense, anchored by Victor Wembanyama, limited his ability to create for himself and his teammates. The loss highlighted Detroit's over-reliance on Cunningham as a primary scorer and the lack of consistent secondary options on the roster.

Why it matters

The Pistons have built an impressive season, but their lack of offensive diversity beyond Cunningham could be a concern as they look to make a deep playoff run in the crowded Eastern Conference. Teams like the Cavaliers, Celtics, and Knicks have shown they are not intimidated by Detroit and have multiple scoring threats to lean on.

The details

San Antonio's defense swarmed Cunningham all night, with Castle, Bryant, and others taking turns applying pressure and forcing the Pistons star into difficult shots. Cunningham struggled to find open looks or create for his teammates, as the Spurs' defense collapsed on him and forced him into 4 turnovers. Detroit's lack of consistent secondary scoring options was exposed, as the team struggled to capitalize on the attention paid to Cunningham.

  • The Pistons suffered their third loss in March, falling to 45-16 on the season.

The players

Cade Cunningham

The Pistons' star player and one of the top 10 players in the NBA, Cunningham struggled against San Antonio's stifling defense, finishing with 26 points on 26 shots and 4 turnovers.

Victor Wembanyama

The Spurs' rookie sensation, Wembanyama was a dominant presence in the paint, altering and blocking several of Cunningham's shots.

Stephon Castle

A Spurs defender who was a key part of the team's defensive effort in limiting Cunningham.

Carter Bryant

Another Spurs defender who took turns with Castle in applying pressure on Cunningham.

J.B. Bickerstaff

The Pistons' head coach, who acknowledged the team needs to do a better job of creating space and opportunities for Cunningham against tough defenses.

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What they’re saying

“They got a lot of guys who can get up in you, put pressure on you and trust the fact that they've got that big behind them to protect. Of course, there are things we can do better. I always take responsibility for that — it's my responsibility to help create space and opportunities for them.”

— J.B. Bickerstaff, Pistons Head Coach (San Antonio Express-News)

What’s next

The Pistons will look to bounce back in their next game against the Cavaliers, another top team in the Eastern Conference.

The takeaway

The Pistons' over-reliance on Cade Cunningham as their primary scorer was exposed against the Spurs' stifling defense, highlighting the need for Detroit to develop more consistent secondary scoring options as they prepare for the playoffs in the competitive Eastern Conference.