The Streak Lives On: Pistons Roar to 11 Straight Wins
I’ll be honest — I was a little concerned heading into this one. The Pistons had to hop a plane and play in Atlanta the very next day after beating the Pacers at home, and quick turnarounds like that can trip up even the best teams. But not this one.
Pistons fans, it’s time for me — for all of us — to shift from worrying to believing. The Pistons aren’t just hot; they’re storming their way toward history. On Wednesday night in Atlanta, Detroit powered past the Hawks 120–112 to extend their NBA-best winning streak to 11 straight, now just two shy of the franchise record of 13 — a mark only the 1989–90 Bad Boys and the 2003–04 Goin’-to-Work squads ever touched.
At 13–2, this is the Pistons’ best start since 2005–06 — a statement start, fueled by depth, toughness, and star power returning at the perfect time.
📊 Stat Capsule: Pistons 120, Hawks 112
Team Record: 13–2 (11 straight wins)
Franchise Record Chase: 2 wins shy of tying the all-time streak of 13 (1989–90, 2003–04)
Top Scorers:
- Cade Cunningham: 25 points, 10 assists, 6 rebounds
- Jalen Duren: 24 points, 8 rebounds
- Duncan Robinson: 14 points
- Daniss Jenkins: 14 points
- Isaiah Stewart: 13 points, 9 rebounds
Team Highlights:
- 66 points in the paint
- Five Pistons in double figures
- Duren FT surge: 77.8% this season, up from 70% career
Historic Notes:
- Cade: 5th straight game with 25+ points & 10+ assists — franchise record
- Pistons: 11 straight wins, NBA-best
Next Up:
@ Bucks (Nov. 22)
@ Pacers
@ Celtics
Cade Cunningham Makes History — Again
The headline of the night? Cade Cunningham returned and reminded everyone why he’s the engine.
After missing three games with a hip contusion, Cade delivered a brilliant 25 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds — but it’s the historic part that jumps off the page:
Cunningham is now the first player in Pistons history with five consecutive games of 25+ points and 10+ assists.
Longest streak in franchise history. That’s superstar stuff.
And just like a franchise player should, he closed it. When Atlanta chopped a 19-point lead down to two, Cade calmly hit back-to-back daggers to silence the building. Vintage take-over mode. Vintage Cade.
Dominance Down Low — And Duren’s Big Step Forward
Detroit absolutely feasted inside, hammering the shorthanded Hawks for 66 points in the paint.
Jalen Duren was a monster again, finishing with 24 points and eight boards, bullying mismatches all night and thriving in the pick-and-roll with Cade. But here’s where Duren’s evolution is becoming huge late in games:
Teams want to foul big men to catch up… but Duren makes them pay.
He’s hitting nearly 78% of his free throws this season — way up from his career average of 70%. That’s an eight-point jump, and for a big, that’s massive.
It stabilizes the Pistons in crunch time.
It keeps the offense flowing.
It forces defenses to rethink the whole “hack the big” strategy.
He’s becoming a rock — not just physically, but situationally.
Isaiah Stewart added 13 points and nine rebounds, keeping the interior pressure relentless.
Depth, Identity, and a Team That Knows Who It Is
Five Pistons scored in double figures, highlighting the connected, unselfish style J.B. Bickerstaff has installed.
Duncan Robinson hit three early threes (4 in total) and finished with 14 points, while rookie Daniss Jenkins added 14 off the bench, offering instant energy and key buckets. Everyone knows their role — and everyone plays it with the blue-collar edge Detroit demands.
Asar Thomson’s stat line isn’t eye-popping, but he was active defensively. After missing a few games, he looked fresh, especially in the 4th quarter when he was knocking balls away, applying a one-man press, and frustrating the Hawks’ ball handlers. Detroit needs that kind of intensity, and Thomson usually provides it every game.
Next Up: A Chance to Strike in Milwaukee
Detroit’s next stop is Milwaukee — and the timing couldn’t be more interesting.
The Bucks will be without their superstar engine, Giannis Antetokounmpo, who’s expected to miss 1–2 weeks after suffering a left groin strain. That’s a massive loss; Giannis has been putting up 31.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game while dominating both ends.
Without him, Milwaukee has stumbled to a 2–3 record over their last five, and they’re searching for answers. Ryan Rollins just had 24 in their latest outing, while Myles Turner and AJ Green will see bigger roles. Cole Anthony has stepped into more playmaking, averaging 5.2 assists over his last five.
Historically, Milwaukee owns the series — 154–113 all-time — and they’ve taken most of the meetings this season. But Detroit already snagged one, and this Pistons team looks nothing like the squad from October.
With the league’s hottest team, a defense that’s bought in, and Cunningham and Duren playing the best basketball of their careers, this is absolutely a winnable game. Tough building, tough test — but a real chance to push this streak to 12.
What did you think of Cade’s performance after being out with hip soreness? 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.
