We now return to our often scheduled programming.
After ending a season-opening seven-game shedding streak in Wednesday’s win at Indiana, the Nets fell back into acquainted habits in their first NBA Cup recreation of the season, kicking off their next potential skid with Friday’s 125-107 loss to the Pistons at Barclays Center.
The Nets (1-8), who are now 0-5 at home this season, return to motion Sunday against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Brooklyn went chilly after blowing an early 10-point lead, but it was the Nets’ league-worst protection that shouldered most of the blame for their newest loss, permitting the Pistons (7-2) to shoot almost 60 p.c from the discipline despite making 6-of-26 3s, inflated by an absurd 78 factors in the paint.
Detroit Pistons middle Jalen Duren (0) and Javonte Green (31) react after Duren’s dunk previous Brooklyn Nets middle Nic Claxton (33) during the second half of an NBA Cup basketball recreation, Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. AP
Brooklyn’s inside protection was ripped straight from the playbook of the Washington Generals, permitting a comically fixed stream of spotlight dunks to the Pistons.
Cade Cunningham (34 factors, 10 assists) used a windmill to thrill the packed crowd. Jalen Duren (30 factors, 11 rebounds) produced highly effective gasps, threatening to rip down the rim.
Michael Porter Jr. scored a team-high 28 factors, but it was Noah Clowney (19 factors) who came out swinging, carrying Brooklyn by scoring 12 factors (4-of-5 3-pointers) in the first 4 minutes.
The third-year ahead opened the week averaging 4.3 factors on 23.3 p.c capturing from the discipline — lacking 9 straight 3s in his earlier three video games — but has now scored at least 15 factors in his previous three video games.
Michael Porter Jr. of the Brooklyn Nets shoots the ball as Caris LeVert of the Detroit Pistons performs protection during the 2025-26 Emirates Cup on November 7, 2025. NBAE via Getty Images
Detroit — which won its Eastern Conference-best fifth straight recreation — led 60-55 at halftime, then took management for good with a 12-2 run to open the third quarter, taking a 94-74 lead into the fourth quarter. Detroit led by as much as 24.
It was domination, but also inspiration.
Before last season, the Pistons hadn’t won a playoff recreation in 17 years. They hadn’t had a profitable season in 9 years. They hadn’t reached the playoffs in six years.
They had averaged fewer than 19 wins during a five-year stretch before last season’s breakthrough 44-win marketing campaign, which ended with a thrilling first-round collection loss against the Knicks.
One day, the Nets may get there, too. But not before many more nights like this.
Source hyperlink
