Pistons Run Into the Kawhi Leonard Show as Shooting Woes Stall Detroit in L.A.
Sometimes the story doesn’t need layers.
Sunday night in Los Angeles was one thing and one thing only: Kawhi Leonard putting on a legacy performance — and the Detroit Pistons having no answer.
Detroit’s loss to the Los Angeles Clippers marked the Pistons’ first back-to-back loss since late November, a reminder that even the top team in the Eastern Conference can be humbled quickly when execution slips and a superstar catches fire.
Stat Capsule 🏀
Final Score: Clippers 112, Pistons 99
Team Shooting:
- FG: 41% (34-82)
- 3PT: 24% (7-29)
- FT: 86% (24-28)
Game Leaders:
- Cade Cunningham: 27 pts, 9 ast
- Jalen Duren: 18 pts, 14 reb
- Kawhi Leonard: 55 pts, 11 reb
Key Differentials:
- 3PT Shooting: LAC +17%
- Technical Fouls: DET 3, LAC 0
- Largest Lead: LAC +26
Kawhi Leonard Was Unstoppable
Detroit tried multiple looks. Nothing worked.
Leonard hit contested jumpers, bullied his way to the rim, and controlled the pace with the kind of calm dominance that only elite players possess. This wasn’t a schematic failure as much as it was a reality check — sometimes, a great player simply takes the game away.
And when that happens, everything else gets magnified.
A Nightmare First Half for Cade
The night turned early when Cade Cunningham went scoreless in the first half, picking up three fouls in the opening quarter. The early whistles disrupted Detroit’s offense, stalled rhythm, and removed its primary engine before it could get going.
Cunningham competed in the second half, but against a locked-in Clippers team, the margin had already narrowed beyond comfort.
Shooting Woes Finally Catch Up
The numbers were brutal:
- 7-for-29 from three (24%)
- 41% from the field
- Clippers: 40%+ from deep
Detroit simply couldn’t space the floor. Missed perimeter shots allowed the Clippers to stay home defensively, clog driving lanes, and force tougher looks all night.
This has quietly become a disconcerting trend, and against elite opponents, it’s not survivable.
Supporting Cast Didn’t Deliver
There were warning signs beyond the stars:
- Jaden Ivey struggled mightily, going 2-for-10 from the field
- Duncan Robinson forced shots, finishing 1-for-6, all from deep
- Tobias Harris never found a rhythm
Jalen Duren battled inside (18 points, 14 rebounds), but even his work couldn’t offset the perimeter collapse. When Detroit can’t stretch the floor, everything tightens — and against elite defenders, that’s a recipe for long nights.
Sidebar: The Complaining Is Becoming Noticeable
This wasn’t the reason Detroit lost — but it’s becoming a pattern. I’ve noticed in many games that the Pistons seem to believe they never commit fouls.
In this contest, the Pistons also picked up three technical fouls, and the constant reactions to calls stood out. Arms raised. Looks to officials. Conversations that don’t change outcomes.
It brought back memories of Tayshaun Prince’s trademark “I didn’t touch him” pose — except now it’s spreading.
For a team trying to take the next step, composure matters.
Perspective — Not Panic
This loss doesn’t erase what Detroit has built.
But it does mark the first time since late November the Pistons have dropped consecutive games, and it reinforces how thin the margin really is — even for contenders.
Sometimes it’s your shooting.
Sometimes it’s your discipline.
And sometimes, it’s just the Kawhi Leonard Show.
What’s Next: Same City, Reset Opportunity
The Pistons stay in Los Angeles to face the Los Angeles Lakers, eliminating travel as an excuse.
This is a response game.
A chance to tighten execution, rediscover spacing, and show that one superstar night doesn’t become a slide.
Because staying atop the East isn’t about avoiding losses — it’s about how you respond to them.
Did the Pistons lose this game more because of Kawhi’s brilliance — or because Detroit’s shooting and composure disappeared at the wrong time? Drop a comment below or join the conversation in the Pistons Hardwood Hub — where fans break down every game, every angle.
Info gathered from team reports, pressers & trusted media outlets — the way we always do it at Mitten Sports Talk.
