DETROIT — There are still 70 games left in the 2025-26 season for the Philadelphia 76ers, and they are sitting in a good spot at 7-5, but it feels like the Sixers have missed a couple of opportunities against the Detroit Pistons.
The Sixers held a double-digit second-half lead in both matchups with the Pistons. They saw one slip away on Nov. 9 in a home loss, before then seeing another big lead slip away on the road on Friday in a 115-104 loss. The Pistons were missing Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, and Jaden Ivey on Friday, but were able to pull off a shocking win over the Sixers.
To be 0-2 already against a Pistons team that the Sixers will likely be battling with in terms of the standings when they get healthy is disappointing for coach Nick Nurse and Co. They had their chances in both games, but weren’t able to close it out.
“Listen, I think we played well enough to get one of the two, I think,” said Nurse. “We were right there. I mean, they put it on us in the fourth tonight a little bit, but it is disappointing that we haven’t at least got one of the two. I think we gave ourselves a chance in both of them and didn’t get it done.”
In Nurse’s defense, the Pistons are red hot as they have now won nine games in a row–two of those wins over the Sixers–despite the injuries to their main catalysts in a majority of those games. Detroit has found a way to get the most out of its roster and has used its depth on the floor to get the job done.
“Obviously, they’re big, strong, athletic, and have some depth,” Nurse finished. “They’re missing some of their key guys and are able to bring in some more athletes, and they got those guys are playing really well right now.”
The Sixers will now have two days off to prepare for the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday.