The Detroit Pistons battled hard against the Miami Heat on January 1, 2026, but ultimately fell short, losing 118-112. Fresh off a five-game West Coast swing, the Pistons struggled to find the energy to complete a comeback after trailing by as much as 22 points in the third quarter.
Cade Cunningham showcased his skills, leading the Pistons with impressive stats: 31 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds. Marcus Sasser made significant contributions off the bench, scoring 18 points, while Isaiah Stewart contributed six points, four rebounds, and five blocks. Norman Powell was the standout scorer of the night, racking up 36 points for the Heat.
Despite trailing by 11 points late in the game, the Pistons made a late push, going on a 9-0 run to cut the deficit to just two points with 46 seconds left. Ausar Thompson’s free throw split and a 3-pointer from Cunningham gave the team hope. However, the Pistons were unable to capitalize on this momentum as the Heat quickly answered back with crucial points.
The game marked the Pistons’ first of the season without Tobias Harris, who was sidelined with a left hip sprain. Caris LeVert also missed the game due to left knee inflammation, and Jalen Duren exited with a right ankle sprain midway through the second period, adding to the team’s challenges.
Currently, the Pistons sit at 25-9, maintaining a slight lead over the New York Knicks for the top spot in the Eastern Conference and keeping a comfortable distance of 6½ games ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers in their division. They will look to bounce back in their upcoming games against these rivals, with a key matchup in Cleveland on Sunday followed by a home game against the Knicks.
Sasser’s performance was particularly noteworthy; he played a pivotal role in the team’s comeback efforts with critical 3-pointers during a 25-9 run that energized the squad. After recovering from a right hip impingement that sidelined him for the start of the season, Sasser is proving to be a vital offensive contributor.
Despite the defeat, the Pistons are hopeful that with a couple of days off, they can regroup and regain their momentum as they prepare for the challenging road ahead.