Pistons End Lakers’ Nine-Game Streak with 113-110 Edge in Detroit
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The Los Angeles Lakers saw their longest surge of the season halted Monday night, falling 113-110 to the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena and snapping a nine-game winning streak.
Playing on March 23, 2026, the Lakers were without Marcus Smart (injury management) and Rui Hachimura (injury), while Detroit missed star guard Cade Cunningham. Despite the absences, the Pistons controlled key stretches to secure the victory.
Luka Doncic, freshly honored as Western Conference Player of the Week for a second consecutive time, opened the contest with the Lakers’ first five points and finished the opening quarter with 17. Los Angeles led 27-23 after 12 minutes, even as LeBron James briefly left the floor after jamming a finger.
Detroit seized momentum in the second period behind aggressive defense and a five-point possession generated by a Flagrant 1 on Deandre Ayton. Consecutive three-pointers from rookie guard Daniss Jenkins and veteran sharpshooter Duncan Robinson pushed the Pistons to a 65-52 halftime advantage.
Robinson drained two more threes to begin the third, but the Lakers responded. Austin Reaves found his rhythm, James scored his first points of the night, and Doncic capped a 35-22 quarter with five quick points, trimming the deficit to 89-87 entering the fourth.
Turnovers plagued Los Angeles early in the final frame, allowing Detroit to restore a six-point cushion. Each time the Lakers threatened, Jenkins answered, eventually finishing as one of the Pistons’ key closers. A foul on Luke Kennard’s three-point attempt tied the game with just over two minutes to play, and Ayton’s pair of free throws briefly put Los Angeles ahead 108-107.
Jenkins converted two foul shots on the next possession, Reaves responded with a floater, and Jenkins answered yet again to give Detroit a 111-110 edge. Doncic missed a clean look from mid-range in the final seconds, and two free throws sealed the result for the Pistons.
The Lakers (record not specified) conclude their trip Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers before returning to Crypto.com Arena for meetings with the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards.
Source: LakersNation.com
