Indianapolis — Jalen Duren still recalls the pain of witnessing the Indiana Pacers defeat the Detroit Pistons by 23 points (136-113) two years ago. The loss occurred on a chilly night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse during the league’s inaugural In-Season Tournament, which encouraged teams to run up the score.
The Pacers took full advantage, laughing and mocking the Pistons as they celebrated a victory that marked Detroit’s 13th consecutive loss in the midst of an infamous 28-game losing streak.
“They were doing a lot of showboating, skipping around the court. As competitors, we did not like it. We did not like all of the extra stuff,” Duren told The Detroit News.
BOX SCORE: Pistons 122, Pacers 117
Although the loss was painful at first, it sparked a fire within the team that later became the foundation of their resurgence. Exactly two years after the Pacers embarrassed them, the Pistons tied the franchise record with a 13-game winning streak in a 122-117 win Monday night.
The Pistons (15-2) have won 13 consecutive games twice before in their franchise history. The first time was during the 1989-90 season, and the second time was during the 2003-04 campaign. Each time the Pistons achieved a 13-game win streak, both seasons ended with the franchise holding the Larry O’Brien Trophy by mid-June.
“Where we were a few years ago, and now here, the record means more to us than it does getting it against an opponent,” Duren said. “Now, being here on the other side of the streak, that within itself is motivating.”
The Pistons dominated the first half, proving they are genuine contenders in the Eastern Conference. They built a 19-point lead after Ausar Thompson made an And-1 basket with 3:20 remaining in the second quarter. Detroit seemed poised for a blowout, but the Pacers started to regain their rhythm in the second half.
Indiana would go on to outscore Detroit 62-51 in the second half. The Pacers cut their once double-digit deficit to two points (117-115) when Isaiah Jackson scored on an And-1 basket with 49 seconds left in the fourth quarter. However, on the next possession, Cade Cunningham helped the Pistons avoid a collapse by scoring a clutch midrange jumper. He finished with a double-double of 24 points (8-of-18 FG), 11 rebounds and six assists.
“I missed a couple of assignments, closing out short to (Jarace) Walker, who hit five 3s that helped them get back into the game,” Cunningham said. “Giving up offensive rebounds, all of those things hurt. It was just little stuff like that which is not acceptable in our culture. I just have to be better, and I will be better.”
“I would like for us to be greedier…We have to do a better job of being greedier for 48 minutes.”
Bickerstaff speaks on the #Pistons’ fourth-quarter slippage following their 122-117 victory over the Pacers. pic.twitter.com/MEelzPCRy9
— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) November 25, 2025
Although the Pistons have experienced success 17 games into the season, they are not getting complacent. The Pistons have their eyes set on a bigger prize. They hope to be the ones representing the Eastern Conference in each of the league’s two championship games, which include the Emirates NBA Cup final and The Finals.
Duren finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Thompson added 13 points, four assists and three rebounds. Caris LeVert recorded a season-high 19 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including three 3-pointers. Pascal Siakam led Indiana with a team-best 24 points and seven rebounds. Walker added 21 points for the Pacers.
“It’s not like we did anything, but it is more like a milestone and a great achievement to have early on,” Duren said. “You cannot get rid of that 28-game losing streak, but it is something to kinda balance it out.
Duren continued, “For guys like me, J.I. (Jaden Ivey), A.T. (Ausar Thompson), Sass (Marcus Sasser), Deuce (Cade Cunningham) and Stew (Isaiah Stewart), guys who have been here, it means a lot to us. We get to be a part of two significant moments in franchise history; one good and the other bad.”
“I take it as a game at a time…But it is crazy.”
Ausar Thompson speaks about being one of a handful of players now associated with two historic streaks in franchise history. #Pistons pic.twitter.com/5aIHHOmWIS
— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) November 25, 2025Observations and notes
Ivey continues to look promising in his second return: Outside of missing a pair of layups, Jaden Ivey had another solid performance in his second game back from injury. He came off the bench and finished with 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting and three rebounds in 11 minutes. He scored seven points in the first quarter off the bench, illustrating why Rick Carlisle believes Ivey is a “major weapon” for the Pistons.
His best moment came late in the third quarter. He scored on a contested up-and-under layup late in the period to push the Pistons back ahead by 10. Two possessions later, he scored on a step-back triple, giving the Pistons a 101-88 lead.
“His speed and burst are up there with the very best in the league,” Carlisle said. “He’s just gotten back on the floor playing games, but he’s young, and he’s going to respond quickly. Another great weapon they have in the arsenal.”
Pistons with their best half of the season: The best part of the Pistons’ winning streak is seeing their continuous improvements. Against the Pacers, the Pistons delivered arguably their best first half of the season by scoring 71 points on 59% shooting, which marked the highest first-half total of the year so far.
Their performance in the first two quarters was highly efficient, as 10 of the 11 players who stepped on the court scored. Thompson led at halftime with 11 points. The Pistons outperformed their first-half season stats, entering the game averaging 59.9 points on 48.8% shooting through the first 16 games.
coty.davis@detroitnews.com
@cotydavis_24
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