The Detroit Pistons delivered one of the most electrifying performances of the 2025-26 NBA season, toppling the Philadelphia 76ers in a double-overtime classic that had fans on their feet from tip-off to the final buzzer. The final score — 128-124 — barely captures the chaos that unfolded at Little Caesars Arena. Detroit's young core showed up with a vengeance, combining fearless three-point shooting with suffocating defense that left Philadelphia's stars visibly frustrated.
The 76ers came in as heavy favourites, riding a five-game winning streak and a dominant Joel Embiid who had been averaging 34 points over his last ten outings. But Embiid was limited to just 22 points on an uncharacteristic 8-of-24 shooting night as Detroit's frontcourt rotation made him work for every bucket. The real story, though, was Detroit's breakout guard play. Jaden Ivey exploded for 38 points — a career high — including the dagger three with 14 seconds left in the second overtime that sealed the deal. The loss pushes Philadelphia further from home-court advantage in the playoffs, while Detroit's postseason hopes suddenly look very much alive. This was not a fluke — this was a statement game.
