Almost every NBA team has one team they struggle to figure out. That team is the Detroit Pistons for the Atlanta Hawks. Detroit moved to 3-0 against Atlanta with a 142-115 win on Dec. 12. The defeat marked the Hawks’ largest margin across the 2025-26 campaign. However, Kristaps Porziņģis missed all three matchups. Atlanta sorely missed the 2024 NBA champion’s size and rim protection against the Pistons’ strong, physical play in the paint.
Atlanta Hawks Struggle To Match Up Against The Detroit Pistons
The Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons surprised the NBA world in different ways for the 2025-26 campaign. Detroit’s 13-game win streak from Oct. 29 to Nov. 24 propelled them to a 20-5 record at the top of the Eastern Conference. Jalen Duren took a massive leap in his fourth year, and Cade Cunningham continues to prove why the Pistons made the right choice with the first pick in 2021.
Pistons Take Advantage Of The Hawks’ Injury Situation
Atlanta holds a respectable 14-12 record. However, after Trae Young suffered an MCL sprain on Oct. 29, many thought the Hawks would spiral downwards. Instead, they own a 12-9 record without their All-Star guard, with Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker showing tremendous improvement. However, Porziņģis played just 13 of the first 26 games, and the Pistons exploited the Hawks’ lack of rim protection in the season series.
Detroit leads the league, scoring 57.7 points in the paint per contest. In three games against Atlanta, it averaged 65.3 points inside. The Pistons scored above their season average in each game, racking up a whopping 72 points in the Dec. 12 win. Duren and Isaiah Stewart hurt Atlanta down low. Duren’s 6’10”, 250-pound frame, combined with his improved ability to handle the rock, gave the Hawks trouble. Stewart provided a big spark off the bench, finishing with 17 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Cunningham scored 25 points with 10 assists in the first matchup, but Atlanta defended him well in the last two games.
Onyeka Okongwu, Mouhamed Gueye, and Asa Newell struggled to stand their ground when either Detroit big man bullied their way to the rim. While Porziņģis may not be the rim protector he was a few seasons ago, his 7’3″ frame may have deterred some of the Pistons’ looks inside. N’Faly Dante also missed this game for the Hawks due to the concussion protocol. At 6’11”, 265 pounds, Atlanta could have used an extra strong body to bump Detroit’s bigs off of their spots.
Dec 12, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson (9) drives to the basket between Atlanta Hawks defenders Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) and Dyson Daniels (5) in the second quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Hawks Must Improve Their Ball Security
These two squads meet one more time in Detroit on March 25. It will be interesting to see how both teams look after the Feb. 6 trade deadline because they will likely look to upgrade for the postseason. Regardless, the Hawks must clean up several areas to avoid a season sweep.
Detroit’s perimeter defense, led by Ausar Thompson, consistently hounds ball handlers. The Hawks were bothered by the Pistons’ ball pressure, committing 20 turnovers on Dec. 12 and 19 on Nov. 18. As a result, Detroit outscored them 30-9 and 17-6, respectively, in fastbreak points.
WE SEE YOU, WOO @2Xtremebounce pic.twitter.com/GU1zUYbd6p
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) December 13, 2025
The Pistons rank third in forcing their opponents into 17.0 turnovers per game, while Atlanta ranks fourth at 16.6. Both teams rely on this for easy offense, but Detroit has an easier time scoring in the half-court than the Hawks, especially while Young remains sidelined. Atlanta cannot afford to give the Pistons extra, easier possessions when they have the numbers advantage. It must clean this up to salvage a win in the season series.
Featured Image: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images