Pistons Snap Lakers’ Win Streak Despite 32 From Doncic
Lakers vs Pistons score March 23 2026
The Detroit Pistons halted the Los Angeles Lakers’ impressive nine-game winning streak on Monday night, March 23, 2026, securing a hard-fought 113-110 victory at Little Caesars Arena. Rookie guard Daniss Jenkins delivered a career-high 30 points, including six critical points in the final 34 seconds to seal the win for the Eastern Conference leaders.
Detroit managed to overcome a 32-point performance from Luka Doncic, who was cleared to play just 24 hours prior after the NBA rescinded his 16th technical foul of the season. According to official game recaps from Associated Press, the Pistons led by as many as 16 points in the third quarter before withstanding a furious Lakers comeback led by Doncic and Austin Reaves.
The closing minute featured a frantic back-and-forth as the Lakers briefly took a 108-107 lead on two Deandre Ayton free throws with 39.9 seconds remaining. Jenkins responded with a pair of free throws of his own, only for Reaves to reclaim the lead for Los Angeles with a physical layup at the 29.7-second mark.
However, Jenkins proved unstoppable in the clutch, hitting a midrange baseline jumper to put Detroit back in front before sinking two final free throws to set the final margin. The Los Angeles Times reports that Doncic had a final chance to force overtime, but his contested three-point attempt at the buzzer missed the mark, ending the Lakers’ bid for a tenth consecutive win.
LeBron James, who went scoreless in the first half for just the third time in his career, finished with 12 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds despite a minor hand injury sustained early in the game.
With the win, the Pistons (52-19) continue to solidify their hold on the top seed in the Eastern Conference even in the absence of star guard Cade Cunningham, who remains sidelined with a collapsed lung. Jalen Duren provided a massive double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Tobias Harris added 12 points to help balance the Detroit attack.
For the Lakers, the loss represents a minor setback in a late-season surge that has seen Doncic emerge as a primary MVP candidate since his trade from Dallas in 2025. NBA standings analysis confirms that Los Angeles remains firmly in third place in the Western Conference as they prepare to visit the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.
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