DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons nearly pulled off one of their most impressive comebacks of the young NBA season Sunday evening. Unfortunately, a disastrous start and a late scoring surge from Austin Reaves proved too much to overcome.
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated Detroit 121–116 at Little Caesars Arena, handing the Pistons their second consecutive loss and dropping their record to 6–3.
Playing without superstar Luka Dončić, Los Angeles turned to Reaves, who delivered a season-high 43 points and made the crucial plays down the stretch.
For Detroit, Daniss Jenkins scored 31 points, while Kevin Huerter added 24 in an impressive effort from the Pistons’ supporting cast.
A First Quarter Detroit Would Rather Forget
The Pistons couldn’t have asked for a much worse opening.
Los Angeles jumped out to a commanding 38–14 advantage after the first quarter, taking advantage of Detroit’s offensive struggles and defensive breakdowns.
The Lakers eventually extended their lead to 26 points early in the second quarter.
Detroit struggled to establish an offensive rhythm, and Cade Cunningham went scoreless throughout the first half.
But the Pistons weren’t finished.
Jenkins provided a much-needed offensive spark, knocking down perimeter shots and helping Detroit cut the deficit to 61–48 at halftime.
Jenkins and Huerter Lead the Fight Back
Detroit continued chipping away throughout the second half.
Jenkins was outstanding, finishing with 31 points, five rebounds and four assists. Huerter contributed 24 points, five rebounds and five assists, giving the Pistons another dependable scoring option.
Their production helped Detroit turn what initially looked like a blowout into a competitive fourth-quarter battle.
The Pistons eventually erased the deficit and tied the game, giving the home crowd reason to believe a remarkable comeback was possible.
But the Lakers had an answer.
Reaves Delivers the Final Blow
With the game hanging in the balance, Reaves took control.
The Lakers guard connected on a critical three-pointer with 46 seconds remaining, helping Los Angeles preserve its lead.
Walker Kessler also contributed a double-double with 12 points and 16 rebounds, including an important three-point play late in the fourth quarter.
Cunningham finished with 14 points and eight assists, but Detroit needed more from its franchise guard after falling behind so early.
The Lakers improved to 9–2, while Detroit fell to 6–3.
MCSN Analysis: The Fight Was There, but the Start Wasn’t Good Enough
There’s something encouraging about a team that refuses to quit after falling behind by 26 points.
Detroit showed resilience, and the performances from Jenkins and Huerter deserve recognition.
But moral victories aren’t the standard the Pistons should be chasing.
Giving up 38 first-quarter points at home, particularly against a Lakers team missing Dončić, put Detroit in an unnecessary hole.
The Pistons also needed more offensive production from Cunningham, who struggled to establish himself early.
Jalen Duren’s continued absence remains another concern, especially with Detroit missing his physical presence in the paint.
The comeback demonstrated Detroit’s ability to respond to adversity. The loss demonstrated why consistency matters just as much as effort.
If the Pistons want to establish themselves among the Eastern Conference’s contenders, they cannot continue relying on dramatic second-half rallies to overcome slow starts.
What’s Next?
Detroit returns to Little Caesars Arena on Monday, November 9, to face the Washington Wizards at 7 p.m. ET.
The Pistons will look to snap their two-game losing streak and return to the win column.
Final Score: Los Angeles Lakers 121, Detroit Pistons 116.