LeBron James has seen a lot of good teams throughout his career, and after the Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Detroit Pistons on Monday night, he made no attempt to hide his admiration for what J.B. Bickerstaff’s squad has built.
Even with their franchise cornerstone sidelined, the Pistons continue to look every bit like the Eastern Conference’s best team.
LeBron James Praises Detroit Pistons’ Depth After Streak-Ending Loss
The Pistons handed the Lakers a 113-110 defeat at Little Caesars Arena, ending Los Angeles’ nine-game winning streak in the process.
After the final buzzer, James was asked directly whether playing Detroit without Cade Cunningham made any difference. His answer was blunt: “None…When you have a really good team, guys step up.”
It was a candid acknowledgment from one of the game’s all-time greats, and it reflected what the Pistons have shown over the past few weeks.
Detroit is now 8-2 without Cunningham, who will miss an extended stretch after suffering a collapsed lung. The Pistons have done little to suggest the absence has slowed them down.
ALSO READ: JJ Redick Downplays Lakers’ Heartbreaking Pistons Loss, Claims Marcus Smart’s Absence ‘Killed’ LA
James went further in his praise, crediting the Pistons beyond just their record.
“You give credit where credit is due. They’re the number one team in the East. They got a really good team, even with their All-NBA player being out. I give a lot of credit to them. We gave ourselves a chance. That’s all you can ask for,” he said via Spectrum SportsNet.
The Pistons’ depth was on full display Monday. Daniss Jenkins delivered a career-best 30 points, hitting crucial baskets in the fourth quarter when the Lakers had clawed back into contention after trailing by as many as 16.
Jalen Duren was equally impressive, contributing 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists. Seven other players finished with at least 6 points, reinforcing James’ point that the team does not rely on any single player to carry the load.
Pistons Tighten Their Grip on the Eastern Conference
Detroit’s win pushed their record to 52-19, solidifying their hold on the top spot in the Eastern Conference and securing a playoff berth.
The manner of the victory mattered just as much as the result itself. The Pistons built a double-digit lead, watched it shrink, and still managed to close out a team that had won nine straight entering the night.
DON’T MISS: Luka Dončić Joins Kobe Bryant in Lakers History With Major 2,000-Point Milestone
Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 32 points, and Austin Reaves added 24, but Detroit’s collective effort proved to be the difference. The Lakers had a chance to tie in the final seconds, but Doncic’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer was off after James’ inbound pass was deflected by Tobias Harris.
With a demanding stretch of games ahead, including matchups against the Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Pelicans, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Toronto Raptors, the Pistons will face their toughest tests without Cunningham.
But if Monday’s performance is any indicator, and if James’ assessment carries any weight, Detroit has more than enough to stay at the top.
