The Detroit Pistons suffered a tough 130-129 loss to the Atlanta Hawks in overtime at Little Caesars Arena on Wednesday, ending their four-game winning streak.
The Pistons had two chances to win on the final possession, but Tobias Harris missed a jumper with 2.9 seconds remaining, while Jalen Duren, who had grabbed the offensive rebound, buried a gimme as time expired.
Courtesy of Harris' jumper, Detroit overcame a 21-point deficit to send the game into extension. However, the team still ultimately fell short.
Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff praised his return, but also said he couldn't celebrate the loss, as shown in video posted by Coty Davis of the Detroit News.
"We didn't like the way we dug into a hole in the first half. But to be able to negotiate at halftime and then come out and play like we played in the third and fourth quarters, credit to those guys," Bickerstaff said.
"Obviously, we fell a bucket behind. But most teams wouldn't even get themselves in that position. Most teams don't have the strength to dig deep, collect themselves, pick themselves up off the mat, and do what our guys did. No moral victory, but I'm proud of our guys' effort."
"We didn't like the way we dug a hole in the first half...no moral victory."
speak on bickerstaff #piston They are battling a 21-point deficit after the loss to the Hawks. pic.twitter.com/cIbhluHyM5
- Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) 26 March 2026
The Pistons lost for the first time since Cade Cunningham was diagnosed with lung failure.
They have played well even without the two-time All-Star with Duren, Harris, Duncan Robinson, Dennis Jenkins and Aussie Thompson. They all scored in double figures against the Hawks, led by Duren with 26 points.
The Pistons, who fell 52-20, including 28-9 at home, will look to bounce back against the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday.
