Two straight losses can make things feel bigger than they are. The Detroit Pistons have still won seven of their last ten games, but the recent struggles have exposed a few cracks in the formula that carried them through their surge.

The three-point shooting has cooled. Cade Cunningham has had to work harder for offense. And the bruising, inside-first style that defines Detroit is beginning to see more resistance.

Every NBA season brings a stretch where opponents adjust to what you do best. The Pistons appear to be entering that phase now. The real test isn’t whether adversity arrives — it’s how quickly you respond when it does.

With the playoffs approaching, Detroit is approaching a stretch where answers matter more than momentum.

Detroit Pistons Struggles Revealing Key Issues Before Playoff Push

Pistons Struggles Finding Third Scorer

One of the lingering questions about the Pistons has been who will become the reliable scorer alongside Cunningham. Jalen Duren has steadily grown into a dependable second option, but Detroit is still searching for a consistent third. So far, that production has come by committee.

On some nights, it’s Duncan Robinson spacing the floor; on others, Tobias Harris shows he can be that option. But for a team hoping to quiet doubts, someone needs to emerge as a dependable scoring presence.

Robinson is averaging just 6.8 points over his last four games while shooting 28.6 percent from three-point range. Harris has been more productive, averaging 16.0 points over the same stretch, though his perimeter shooting has also cooled to 28.6 percent from beyond the arc.

For Detroit to fully stabilize its offense, someone must step forward and claim the role of a consistent third option.

Backcourt Searching For Rhythm
Mar 5, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Daniss Jenkins (24) drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) during the second half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Outside of Cunningham, the Pistons’ guards have struggled to maintain offensive rhythm. Caris LeVert is averaging just 2.8 points on 25 percent shooting over the last four games, while Daniss Jenkins has posted just 3.8 points on 19.2 percent shooting during that same stretch.

Earlier in the season, Detroit’s depth at the guard position was one of the team’s most intriguing strengths. Contributions from players outside the primary rotation helped stabilize the offense and made the decision to move on from Jaden Ivey a difficult — but necessary — one for the organization.

Now, with production dipping, some are beginning to question whether that move came too quickly. Still, opportunity often emerges during struggles. Kevin Huerter recently received extended minutes and showed signs that he may be ready for a larger role in the rotation.

Learning Through Struggles

The struggles the Pistons are facing now could ultimately be the very thing that helps them in the playoffs. Over the course of a regular season, teams don’t want to peak too early or be scrambling for answers too late.

With 21 games remaining, there is still time to find rhythm and make the necessary adjustments. Every team in the league will eventually identify something they can exploit, but it’s up to the coaching staff to counter those weaknesses and keep the team evolving.

For the most part, Detroit’s defense has remained solid despite a few recent flaws. Now, the offense as a whole must catch up. They must provide the support needed to complement the work on the defensive end.

The Last Word

The Pistons have built their rise on toughness, defense, and a willingness to grind out wins when the shots aren’t falling. That identity hasn’t disappeared — it’s simply being tested.

Good teams survive stretches like this. The ones with real postseason potential grow stronger because of them.

With 21 games left, Detroit still has time to rediscover its rhythm, refine its rotations, and find the consistency needed around Cunningham and Duren. If the Pistons can turn these growing pains into adjustments, this recent struggle may be remembered less as a warning sign — and more as the moment the team sharpened itself for the playoff push.

Scott Wachter-Imagn Images