Pistons 97 - Hornets 89 (10/28/2026): Cunningham's 30 Points Spark Victory

On Wednesday, October 28, 2026, the Detroit Pistons hosted the Charlotte Hornets at Little Caesars Arena. The Pistons secured a win over the Hornets with a final score of 97–89. This victory placed the Pistons at the top of the Eastern Conference standings.

First Half Overview

The first quarter ended with the Hornets leading 22-21. Both teams displayed strong defense, keeping the score tight.

In the second quarter, the Hornets continued to hold a slight edge, finishing with a 29-23 advantage. This set the stage for a competitive second half with the Hornets leading 51-44 at halftime.

Second Half Surge

The Pistons turned the game around in the third quarter, scoring 32 points while holding the Hornets to 19. This impressive run gave Detroit a six-point lead going into the final quarter.

During the fourth quarter, Detroit maintained their momentum by adding another 21 points. The Hornets matched their third-quarter output with another 19 points, which was not enough to catch up.

Key Performances

Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 30 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists. His performance was critical to the Pistons' comeback in the second half.

Ausar Thompson contributed with 9 rebounds and 8 assists, showcasing his versatility on the court. Duncan Robinson added 13 points to aid the Pistons' scoring efforts.

For the Hornets, Brandon Miller stood out with a double-double of 31 points and 12 rebounds. Dennis Schröder added 14 points and 5 assists to support the Hornets' offense.

Team Stats and Impact

Detroit's shooting was slightly better, hitting 44.7% from the field compared to Charlotte's 43.7%. The Pistons also succeeded from beyond the arc, making 39.4% of their three-point attempts.

The Pistons' defense forced 23 turnovers from the Hornets, leading to extra possessions and scoring opportunities. Despite the Hornets collecting more rebounds, Detroit's efficient ball movement resulted in 26 assists.

Detroit's next game is against the Brooklyn Nets on October 30. Charlotte will face the Washington Wizards on the same day, aiming to bounce back from this loss.

The Pistons have secured their position as the top team in the Eastern Conference with a 4-1 record. Meanwhile, the Hornets will look to improve their standing from sixth place in the conference.