Five Games In, the Pistons Are Finding Their Balance

Five games into the Detroit Pistons’ 2025-26 season, the team still looks like one in transition. After a 135-116 victory over the Orlando Magic, they’ll now head to Mexico City to face the Dallas Mavericks.

Defensively, the Pistons have built on last year’s progress, ranking 9th in opponents’ points per game and 10th in defensive rating. Offensively, however, they remain a work in progress, sitting 20th in scoring and 19th in rating.

Despite those early inconsistencies, the Pistons’ play at times suggests that last season’s resurgence was no fluke — and the offseason improvements are beginning to show on the court. So, what are the early positives and negatives? Let’s dive in.

Five Games In, the Pistons Are Finding Their Balance

Pistons’ Playmaker Under Defensive Pressure

When teams prepare for the Pistons, the game plan always starts with Cade Cunningham. Opponents have adjusted their entire defensive approach to slow down the All-Star, and that attention has led to stretches of inconsistency in his offense.

Even so, Cunningham is averaging 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game. His shooting remains a work in progress — 40 percent from the field, 24 percent from three, and 81 percent from the free-throw line — and he’s turning the ball over 4.4 times per contest.

If Wednesday night’s performance is any indication, though, those shooting numbers should rise as the season progresses while the turnovers decline. Cunningham’s start leaves room for improvement, but there’s no reason for concern just yet.

Bruising and Efficient

Jalen Duren has all the physical tools to become one of the league’s best centers. His ability to finish in the paint, rebound, and use his athleticism makes him one of the Pistons’ most intriguing players — and he’s still only 21.

This season, Duren has turned into a reliable option at the free-throw line, making his bruising style even more effective. He’s shooting 84 percent from the stripe after hitting just 67 percent last year. He’s already had two games with 10 or more free-throw attempts, showing that sending him to the line is no longer a strategy opponents can count on.

Give It Time

Throughout the offseason, much of the discussion centered on Duncan Robinson and Caris LeVert. Many questioned whether they could replace the production of last season’s veterans. So far, both players have shown flashes but still have room to grow.

Robinson has been up and down from three-point range early on, but he competes hard on both ends every night. As the season progresses and he returns to his bench role once Jaden Ivey is back, his shooting efficiency should trend upward.

LeVert, meanwhile, is still finding his rhythm after missing three games due to injury. The skill set is there for him to become a key contributor, but his next step will be proving he can stay on the floor consistently.

Bench Boost: Pistons’ Energy in Action

Off the bench, Isaiah Stewart and Ron Holland have injected the effort and intensity the Pistons often need. Both players impact the game on both ends, continuing the consistency they showed last season.

Stewart has once again proven to be one of the team’s most dependable contributors. He brings physicality, protects the rim at a high level with 2.0 blocks per game, and has added range — hitting 58.3 percent of his threes. Whatever the role, Stewart delivers.

Holland is constantly around the basketball, making plays through hustle and instincts. Over the summer, he focused on improving his perimeter game to complement his transition and driving ability. While the three-point shot remains a work in progress, he’s keeping defenses honest by attempting 4.2 threes per game.

The Last Word

Through five games, the Detroit Pistons are showing flashes of what they can become. The defense is ahead of schedule, the energy is consistent, and the roster is beginning to take shape under J.B. Bickerstaff’s direction.

There are still issues to clean up — turnovers, offensive spacing, and stretches of inconsistency — but the foundation is visible. Cade Cunningham continues to lead, Jalen Duren is evolving into a dependable interior presence, and the supporting cast is learning how to complement them.

The Pistons aren’t a finished product yet, but that’s the point. Growth is happening in real-time, and the early signs suggest that this team is moving in the right direction.