Pistons 124-116 Thunder (Feb 25, 2026) Game Recap — pistons prevail
The pistons beat the Thunder 124-116 on Feb. 25, 2026, a win led by Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren against a short-handed Oklahoma City team. The game followed a published NBA Matchups: February 25 preview that listed Team Totals: Thunder 106. 5, Pistons 114 and an Injury Report naming Isaiah Stewart (O, suspension).
Game result and leaders
Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren were the primary leaders as the Pistons closed out a 124-116 victory over the short-handed Thunder on Feb. 25, 2026. The headline summary framed the outcome as "Cunningham, Duren lead Pistons to win over short-handed Thunder. " The win came despite pregame notes that projected different team totals and lineup questions on both sides.
Pistons projected starters and roles
Pre-game projections listed the Pistons projected starters as Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren. The same preview included an Injury Report entry reading Isaiah Stewart (O, suspension). Those projections fed expectations around matchups in the paint and on the perimeter.
Thunder injuries and lineup questions
Projected Thunder starters before the game were Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe, Lu Dort, Chet Holmgren and Jaylin Williams. Chet Holmgren received a Q tag the night before and could miss the game, and there was discussion about Isaiah Hartenstein’s availability; the preview noted that assuming Hartenstein was out, Jaylin Williams would have an opportunity. The preview also noted OKC on a B2B and that the Thunder might sit more guys because of the back-to-back.
Matchup notes and defensive ranks
The preview observed that the Pistons moved from facing the No. 3 defense in the Spurs to the No. 1 defense in OKC. It added that Detroit had a 1-5 record when they did not score more than 103 points, and that OKC ranked first in paint defense while forcing many turnovers—factors that would apply pressure on Cade Cunningham. The Thunder offense was described as inconsistent, with two duds in their last three games (not counting the previous night), and facing a No. 2 defense in the NBA would be a tough test. The preview also said the Thunder had been getting only OK paint pressure, which would be a difficult matchup against an elite paint defense.
Player-specific matchup implications
The scouting notes drilled into individual matchups. Cason Wallace’s role had spiked on Sunday with 10 dimes on 14 potentials and an uncharacteristic 15 drives; the preview warned this matchup was not one to attack, especially on a B2B, and that Wallace might see Ausar Thompson. The write-up added that Chet Holmgren’s Q tag could open minutes for Jaylin Williams if Isaiah Hartenstein remained out. It also emphasized that Cade Cunningham had been clamped by Stephon Castle in a prior game, going just 2-of-12 on his drives in that matchup, and that the matchup would still be difficult against Lu Dort even if Hartenstein or Holmgren were absent. Jalen Duren’s matchup was described as up in the air: if Isaiah Hartenstein suited up, it would set up better for Duren; the Thunder had been worse on the boards without iHart, and they might be smaller overall. The preview concluded that Holmgren’s absence would make it a lot easier to score around the basket and noted, "We’ll have the injury report for the show later. "
Additional context from the Feb. 25 preview included a slate listing OKC @ DET, SAS @ TOR, GSW @ MEM, SAC @ HOU, CLE @ MIL and BOS @ DEN. The preview also carried ancillary promotional copy referencing Mike Gallagher and the Feb. 25, 2026 markup, mentioning Boston Celtics, Jaylen Brown, NBA Full Stat Projections, NBA In-Season, NBA Matchups and NBA Props, and inviting readers to access NBA DFS player projections, Mike Gallagher’s NBA Matchups column, NBA Top Plays and live shows, Underdog daily draft rankings and other content an NBA In-Season package.
The sequence of preview notes, projected lineups, injury uncertainty and matchup analysis set the stage for the Pistons’ 124-116 result that night, where Cunningham and Duren led the way against the short-handed Thunder.
