Detroit Pistons vs Celtics Match Player Stats

Detroit Pistons vs Celtics match player stats tell the story of a close NBA Cup battle that came down to execution in the final possessions. Boston defeated Detroit 117-114 at TD Garden in a game featuring 19 lead changes and 11 ties. Cade Cunningham produced a game-high 42 points, while Jaylen Brown posted 33 points and 10 rebounds and Derrick White delivered 27 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter. Detroit also controlled the glass with 56 total rebounds, but Boston’s superior three-point shooting and late-game execution proved decisive.

One date detail is worth clarifying before looking at the numbers. The game was played on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at TD Garden. Some international listings display November 27 because of time-zone differences. The official NBA record identifies the Boston home game as November 26.

Game Overview

The matchup was part of NBA Cup East Group B and brought together two teams entering the game with very different immediate narratives. Detroit arrived at 15-2 and had won 13 consecutive games, putting its franchise winning-streak record within reach. Boston entered at 9-8 and was trying to stop that run on its home floor.

The Celtics eventually prevailed 117-114, moving to 10-8 while Detroit dropped to 15-3. The result ended Detroit’s 13-game winning streak, which had tied the franchise record.

The box score shows why the three-point line mattered so much.

Detroit shot:

• 37 of 93 from the field
• 11 of 36 from three
• 29 of 36 from the free-throw line
• 56 total rebounds
• 20 assists
• 13 turnovers

Boston shot:

• 38 of 87 from the field
• 20 of 43 from three
• 21 of 24 from the free-throw line
• 44 total rebounds
• 24 assists
• 12 turnovers

Boston therefore made nine more three-pointers than Detroit. That difference alone represented 27 points of additional scoring from behind the arc, a huge factor in a three-point game. The Celtics also generated more assists while committing one fewer turnover.

Detroit Pistons vs Celtics Match Player Stats

The individual numbers make the game even more interesting because Detroit actually received an enormous scoring performance from its lead guard.

Cade Cunningham: 42 Points

Cade Cunningham was the clear scoring leader.

He finished with:

• 42 points
• 12-for-26 shooting
• 4-for-9 from three
• 14-for-16 from the free-throw line
• 8 rebounds
• 5 assists
• 1 steal
• 1 block
• 4 turnovers
• 36:24 of playing time

His 42 points came on 46.2 percent shooting from the field. He also created a major portion of Detroit’s offense through free throws, converting 14 of 16 attempts.

The important detail is that Cunningham was not simply accumulating points in a high-volume shooting game. He combined scoring with eight rebounds and five assists, meaning he remained heavily involved in multiple parts of the offense.

His final sequence, however, became one of the defining moments of the contest. With Detroit trailing by three, Cunningham drew a foul on a three-point attempt. He made the first two free throws but missed the third, preventing Detroit from tying the game. Boston then secured the rebound and closed out the victory.

Jalen Duren: 16 Rebounds

Jalen Duren was Detroit’s dominant rebounder.

He recorded:

• 12 points
• 16 rebounds
• 6 offensive rebounds
• 10 defensive rebounds
• 1 assist
• 3 turnovers
• 3 personal fouls
• 30:18 of playing time

Duren’s 16 rebounds were the highest total by any player in the game.

His six offensive rebounds were particularly important. Detroit finished with 21 offensive rebounds as a team, giving the Pistons additional opportunities even when their initial shots failed to fall.

Duren’s +6 plus-minus was also one of Detroit’s better individual marks. That is an important reminder that a player’s overall contribution cannot always be captured by scoring alone.

Tobias Harris: Efficient Supporting Production

Tobias Harris finished with 12 points, four rebounds and three assists.

His shooting line was:

• 4-for-8 from the field
• 1-for-5 from three
• 3-for-3 from the free-throw line

He also recorded two blocks.

Harris was efficient inside the arc, although his three-point shooting was less effective. His ability to contribute without dominating possessions helped Detroit maintain balance around Cunningham.

Duncan Robinson: Three-Point Spacing

Duncan Robinson scored 11 points on 4-for-9 shooting.

He made:

• 3 of 8 three-point attempts
• 4 total field goals
• 3 assists
• 2 rebounds
• 1 block

Robinson’s three made threes were important because Detroit needed perimeter players to punish Boston’s defensive attention toward Cunningham.

His +9 plus-minus was the highest among Detroit players in the game, despite the Pistons ultimately losing.

Ausar Thompson: Defensive and Rebounding Value

Ausar Thompson posted:

• 8 points
• 8 rebounds
• 2 assists
• 1 steal
• 1 block
• 2 turnovers

He shot 2-for-8 from the field and 1-for-2 from three.

The offensive efficiency was modest, but his eight rebounds and defensive activity gave Detroit useful production beyond the scoring column.

Caris LeVert

Caris LeVert contributed 10 points, three rebounds and three assists.

He shot 3-for-8 from the field, 2-for-4 from three and 2-for-2 at the free-throw line.

His perimeter efficiency helped Detroit’s second unit, although Boston’s shooting depth ultimately created more consistent offensive pressure.

Isaiah Stewart

Isaiah Stewart added six points and nine rebounds in just over 20 minutes.

He grabbed four offensive rebounds and five defensive rebounds while adding one block.

His nine rebounds were especially useful in a game where Detroit’s frontcourt was consistently active on the glass.

Detroit’s Remaining Rotation

Jaden Ivey finished with seven points, four rebounds and one steal, shooting 2-for-9 from the field.

Ronald Holland II scored six points and added one rebound and two steals.

Javonte Green did not score in 9:43 of action, while Daniss Jenkins finished without a point but recorded one assist.

The Pistons therefore received 42 points from Cunningham but did not get another player above 12 points. That concentration of scoring is one of the clearest statistical features of the game.

Boston Celtics Player Performance

Boston’s offense was more distributed.

Jaylen Brown led the Celtics in scoring and rebounding, while Derrick White provided the game’s most important perimeter shooting performance.

Jaylen Brown: 33 Points, 10 Rebounds and 5 Assists

Brown finished with:

• 33 points
• 10 rebounds
• 5 assists
• 2 steals
• 2 blocks
• 12-for-32 shooting
• 2-for-7 from three
• 7-for-8 from the free-throw line

His 33 points came despite a relatively low 37.5 percent field-goal percentage.

That distinction matters. Brown’s impact was not based entirely on shot-making efficiency. He contributed across the box score and helped Boston generate scoring opportunities through free throws and aggressive offensive play.

His two steals and two blocks also demonstrate how much he influenced the game outside the scoring column.

Derrick White: The Fourth-Quarter Difference

Derrick White may have been the most important statistical swing player for Boston.

He finished with:

• 27 points
• 7 rebounds
• 3 assists
• 3 steals
• 1 block
• 7-for-13 shooting
• 6-for-11 from three
• 7-for-7 from the free-throw line

His 6-for-11 performance from three was especially important.

White scored 11 points in the fourth quarter and made three three-pointers during the final period. He also produced a critical 31-foot three late in the fourth quarter after Brown’s and-one gave Boston a lead.

White finished with a team-best +11 plus-minus among Boston’s starters.

This is where the raw scoring total becomes more informative when combined with game context. Cunningham scored 42, but White’s 27 included several points during the portion of the game when every possession carried maximum importance.

Payton Pritchard

Payton Pritchard scored 16 points, grabbed five rebounds and recorded two assists.

He shot:

• 5-for-10 from the field
• 4-for-7 from three
• 2-for-2 from the free-throw line

His role became particularly important at the end.

After Cunningham missed the third free throw of his potential game-tying sequence, Pritchard collected the rebound and was fouled. He converted both free throws, restoring Boston’s three-point advantage.

That rebound was a small box-score event with enormous game impact.

Baylor Scheierman

Baylor Scheierman provided one of Boston’s most useful bench performances.

He scored 13 points in approximately 30 minutes while shooting:

• 5-for-7 from the field
• 3-for-5 from three

He finished with a +8 plus-minus.

His shooting efficiency helped Boston maintain perimeter spacing while Brown and White carried significant offensive responsibilities.

Josh Minott

Josh Minott scored nine points, grabbed five rebounds and added three assists.

He shot 3-for-6 from the field and 2-for-3 from three.

His contribution was another example of Boston receiving meaningful production outside its two primary scorers.

Jordan Walsh

Walsh finished with seven points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals.

He shot 3-for-6 overall and made one three-pointer.

His defensive activity became particularly important during the closing possessions. Boston needed stops as much as baskets, and Walsh was involved in the late defensive sequence that helped prevent Detroit from getting a clean tying opportunity.

Boston’s Other Contributors

Sam Hauser scored five points.

Anfernee Simons also scored five points and provided four assists.

Amari Williams scored one point, while Hugo González scored one.

Luka Garza did not score in his limited playing time.

Boston’s bench therefore provided 34 points compared with Detroit’s 29, according to the game comparison.

Shooting Efficiency Explains Much of the Result

The final score was close, but the shooting profile was not identical.

Detroit shot 39.8 percent from the field.

Boston shot 43.7 percent.

That is a 3.9 percentage-point difference.

The bigger separation came from three-point shooting.

Detroit:

11-for-36, 30.6 percent

Boston:

20-for-43, 46.5 percent

Boston therefore made nine additional three-pointers while attempting only seven more.

That is the statistical foundation of the victory.

The difference can also be seen through effective field-goal percentage. RealGM recorded Detroit at 45.7 percent and Boston at 55.2 percent. Effective field-goal percentage gives extra weight to made three-pointers, making it particularly useful for understanding a game like this.

Detroit Won the Rebounding Battle

If the game had been decided primarily by rebounding, Detroit would have had a strong argument.

The Pistons collected 56 total rebounds compared with Boston’s 44 in the basic team totals supplied for the game.

They also produced 21 offensive rebounds.

That gave Detroit additional possessions and helped offset its lower shooting efficiency.

Jalen Duren led the way with 16 rebounds, while Isaiah Stewart added nine and Ausar Thompson had eight.

The lesson is important: controlling the glass does not automatically translate into victory if the opponent creates enough value from outside the paint.

Boston’s 20 made threes created a large enough scoring advantage to overcome Detroit’s rebounding edge.

Boston Won the Three-Point Battle

Boston’s perimeter shooting was the most obvious statistical advantage.

The Celtics made 20 three-pointers.

Detroit made 11.

Derrick White accounted for six of Boston’s makes by himself.

Payton Pritchard added four.

Baylor Scheierman made three.

Jaylen Brown made two.

Jordan Walsh, Sam Hauser and several other contributors supplied the remainder.

Detroit received four threes from Cunningham, three from Robinson and two from LeVert, but the supporting perimeter production was not enough to match Boston’s volume.

For modern NBA analysis, this is one of the most useful ways to interpret the game. A team can dominate offensive rebounding and still lose if the opponent consistently converts high-value perimeter shots.

Turnovers Were Close

Detroit committed 13 turnovers.

Boston committed 12.

That one-turnover difference was relatively small.

Neither team suffered a massive turnover problem, so the outcome cannot reasonably be explained by careless ball handling alone.

The late sequence, however, shows why the location of turnovers matters.

A turnover during the first quarter costs one possession.

A turnover in the final seconds while protecting a three-point lead can effectively decide the game.

Boston forced one of the critical late turnovers involving Cunningham, while Walsh and White were directly involved in the defensive sequence.

Free Throws Helped Keep Detroit Close

Detroit shot 29-for-36 from the free-throw line.

Boston shot 21-for-24.

Both teams were effective from the stripe overall.

Cunningham was particularly productive, going 14-for-16.

That represented one-third of his 42 points.

Boston’s starters were even more efficient collectively. The Celtics starting lineup converted 16 of 17 free throws, according to the team’s official game recap.

The free-throw disparity was therefore not a major weakness for either side. Instead, the game was largely shaped by field-goal efficiency and three-point volume.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter: Detroit Takes Control

Detroit opened with a 30-24 advantage.

The Pistons shot efficiently enough to establish early control and attacked Boston before the Celtics could settle into their defensive rhythm.

Cunningham was already creating pressure, while Duren’s interior presence helped Detroit establish its physical style.

Second Quarter: Boston Responds

Boston reversed the momentum with a 33-point second quarter.

Detroit scored 28.

The Celtics entered halftime trailing only 58-57.

That five-point swing was important because it prevented Detroit from carrying a large lead into halftime.

Third Quarter: Celtics Build a Cushion

Boston won the third quarter 29-25.

The Celtics entered the final period with an 86-83 advantage.

The game had therefore transformed from an early Detroit-controlled contest into a one-possession battle.

Fourth Quarter: Execution Decides It

Both teams scored 31 points in the fourth.

That makes the final margin even more revealing.

Neither team dominated the final quarter statistically.

Boston simply executed a few crucial possessions better.

Brown’s and-one broke a 105-105 tie.

White then hit a deep three to extend the advantage.

Detroit responded, but Boston remained composed.

Cunningham’s late free throws offered Detroit a chance to tie, but his missed third attempt gave Boston the rebound and ultimately the game.

Advanced Statistical View

The advanced numbers reinforce the basic box score.

RealGM recorded both teams at 96 possessions.

Detroit posted an offensive rating of 118.8 and a defensive rating of 122.0.

Boston posted an offensive rating of 122.0 and a defensive rating of 118.8.

The difference was therefore four points per 100 possessions in Boston’s favor.

Boston also held the advantage in effective field-goal percentage:

• Detroit: 45.7 percent
• Boston: 55.2 percent

Detroit had the stronger offensive rebounding percentage:

• Detroit: 37.5 percent
• Boston: 27.3 percent

Boston had the slightly better turnover percentage:

• Boston: 12.5 percent
• Detroit: 13.6 percent

These numbers reveal a useful tactical contrast.

Detroit created extra opportunities through offensive rebounding.

Boston extracted more value from each shooting possession.

The Celtics did not need to win every statistical category. They needed to win the categories that generated more points per possession.

Why Cade Cunningham’s 42 Points Were Not Enough

A 42-point performance normally dominates the conversation around a game.

Here, it was both spectacular and insufficient.

Cunningham scored 42 of Detroit’s 114 points, meaning he accounted for approximately 36.8 percent of the team’s total scoring.

He also assisted on five baskets and contributed eight rebounds.

The problem was that Detroit’s next-highest scorer had only 12 points.

Boston, by comparison, had two players above 25 points and three others who reached double figures.

That distribution matters.

When one player carries such a large scoring burden, the opposing defense can devote more attention to that player during critical possessions.

Boston still had to deal with Cunningham’s ability to score and create, but the Celtics could also rely on their own perimeter shooting to keep pressure on Detroit.

Why Jaylen Brown’s 33 Points Mattered

Brown did not shoot especially efficiently from the field.

He went 12-for-32.

Yet his 33 points came with 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks.

That is a broad contribution profile.

Brown’s offensive role was especially important because Boston could not rely exclusively on three-point shooting. His ability to attack, draw fouls and contribute on the glass helped balance the Celtics’ perimeter-heavy offense.

His fourth-quarter and-one was also one of the game’s defining possessions. It broke a 105-105 tie with 1:37 remaining.

Derrick White’s Six Threes Changed the Geometry

White’s six made threes deserve special attention.

A player shooting 6-for-11 from three produces 18 points from the perimeter alone.

That forces defenders to make difficult choices.

If Detroit stayed attached to White, Boston had opportunities elsewhere.

If defenders helped toward the paint or toward Brown, White had the space to shoot.

His fourth-quarter production made the effect even stronger.

White scored 11 points in the final quarter and hit three triples. His deep three after Brown’s and-one pushed Boston’s lead to 111-107.

This is why a basic points total can miss an important part of a player’s value. White’s 27 points were not evenly distributed across the game. A significant portion arrived when the outcome was being decided.

The Rebounding Story Was More Complicated Than the Total

Detroit’s 56 rebounds stand out.

But raw rebounding totals should be separated into offensive and defensive opportunities.

Detroit’s 21 offensive rebounds created second chances.

Boston had 12 offensive rebounds.

That gave Detroit a meaningful possession advantage.

Yet Boston’s superior shooting efficiency meant that the Celtics could score more efficiently without needing as many second opportunities.

In other words, Detroit compensated for poor shooting with extra possessions, while Boston compensated for fewer rebounds with better shot-making.

That contrast explains why the game stayed close rather than turning into a comfortable Boston victory.

The Final Two Minutes

The closing stretch is the best place to understand the match.

The score was tied 105-105 with 1:37 remaining.

Brown attacked and converted an and-one opportunity.

White then hit a 31-foot three.

Detroit responded through Tobias Harris, who made a three to reduce the deficit.

Boston did not panic.

The Celtics forced a late Cunningham turnover, then White converted two free throws.

Cunningham was subsequently fouled while attempting a three-point shot.

He made two free throws but missed the third.

Pritchard secured the rebound.

After Pritchard was fouled, he made both free throws.

Detroit still had a final opportunity, but the Celtics held on for the 117-114 victory.

This sequence is a useful example of why clutch analysis should focus on possessions rather than simply looking at the final box score.

What the Match Reveals About Both Teams

The game highlighted two different offensive profiles.

Detroit demonstrated:

• Strong interior rebounding
• Heavy reliance on Cunningham
• Effective free-throw generation
• Strong offensive rebounding
• Enough defensive activity to remain competitive
• A willingness to win possessions through physical play

Boston demonstrated:

• Superior three-point volume
• More balanced scoring
• Strong late-game perimeter shooting
• Multiple secondary scoring options
• Timely defensive pressure
• Efficient free-throw shooting

Neither statistical profile was perfect.

Detroit’s shooting from three was below 31 percent.

Boston’s 43.7 percent overall field-goal percentage was solid rather than overwhelming.

Brown needed 32 field-goal attempts to reach 33 points.

Yet Boston found enough advantages in the right places to win by three.

A Practical Way to Read NBA Box Scores

For readers researching Detroit Pistons vs Celtics match player stats, it is easy to focus only on points.

That approach misses much of the story.

A better five-step process is:

1. Start With Shot Volume

Look at field-goal attempts and three-point attempts.

This tells you how the offense was constructed.

2. Check Efficiency

Field-goal percentage alone is not enough.

Look at three-point percentage and effective field-goal percentage to understand how efficiently the team converted possessions into points.

3. Examine Possession Battles

Rebounds and turnovers show how teams created or lost opportunities.

Detroit’s offensive rebounding was a major reason the game stayed within reach.

4. Separate Star Production From Team Production

Cunningham’s 42 points were outstanding, but Detroit needed more scoring support.

Boston had Brown and White above 25 points and multiple contributors behind them.

5. Review the Closing Sequence

In a three-point game, the final few possessions can explain more than a season-long narrative.

Here, Boston’s execution in the final two minutes was central to the result.

Most Important Statistical Takeaways

The most useful numbers from the game can be summarized as follows:

Category	Detroit	Boston
Final Score	114	117
Field Goals	37-93	38-87
Field-Goal %	39.8%	43.7%
3-Pointers	11-36	20-43
3-Point %	30.6%	46.5%
Free Throws	29-36	21-24
Free-Throw %	80.6%	87.5%
Rebounds	56	44
Assists	20	24
Turnovers	13	12
Steals	5	9
Blocks	7	7
Offensive Rebounds	21	12

The most striking contrast is obvious.

Detroit won the rebounding battle.

Boston won the shooting battle.

In a three-point game, Boston’s perimeter advantage proved more valuable.

Player Leaders at a Glance

Detroit

Points: Cade Cunningham, 42

Rebounds: Jalen Duren, 16

Assists: Cade Cunningham, 5

Three-pointers: Cade Cunningham, 4

Steals: Ronald Holland II and several contributors, 2

Boston

Points: Jaylen Brown, 33

Rebounds: Jaylen Brown, 10

Assists: Jaylen Brown, 5

Three-pointers: Derrick White, 6

Steals: Derrick White and Jaylen Brown, 3 and 2 respectively

These numbers demonstrate how differently the two teams distributed their production.

Detroit’s offense was heavily concentrated around Cunningham.

Boston received major contributions from Brown and White while also getting useful shooting from Pritchard and Scheierman.

Detroit Pistons vs Celtics Match Player Stats: Key Takeaways

The most important conclusions from the statistical record are straightforward.

Cade Cunningham produced the game’s highest scoring total with 42 points, but Boston had more balanced offensive production.

Jalen Duren dominated the boards with 16 rebounds, including six offensive rebounds.

Jaylen Brown delivered 33 points, 10 rebounds and five assists while contributing defensively.

Derrick White scored 27 points and made six three-pointers, with 11 of his points arriving in the fourth quarter.

Boston shot 46.5 percent from three compared with Detroit’s 30.6 percent.

Detroit’s 21 offensive rebounds helped compensate for its shooting disadvantage.

The game featured 19 lead changes and 11 ties, confirming how closely matched the teams were throughout the night.

Most importantly, the final three-point margin did not come from one overwhelming statistical category. It emerged from several smaller advantages that accumulated over 48 minutes: Boston’s three-point shooting, assist total, lower turnover count, defensive pressure and execution in the final possessions.

For anyone studying the box score, that is the central lesson. A close NBA game is rarely explained by the leading scorer alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who scored the most points in the Pistons vs Celtics game?

Cade Cunningham led all players with 42 points for Detroit. Jaylen Brown led Boston with 33 points.

How many rebounds did Jalen Duren have?

Jalen Duren recorded 16 rebounds, including six offensive rebounds and 10 defensive rebounds.

How many three-pointers did Derrick White make?

Derrick White made six three-pointers on 11 attempts. He finished with 27 points.

What was the final score?

Boston defeated Detroit 117-114 at TD Garden. Detroit led 30-24 after the first quarter, but Boston recovered and entered the fourth quarter ahead 86-83.

Did the Pistons win the rebounding battle?

Yes. Detroit collected 56 total rebounds compared with Boston’s 44 in the primary team statistics. Detroit also grabbed 21 offensive rebounds.

Why did Boston win despite Detroit’s 42-point performance from Cunningham?

Boston compensated for Cunningham’s scoring by shooting significantly better from three-point range, making 20 threes compared with Detroit’s 11. Boston also received 27 points from Derrick White and 33 from Jaylen Brown.

Conclusion

Detroit Pistons vs Celtics match player stats show a game where individual brilliance, team balance and late-game execution all mattered.

Cade Cunningham’s 42 points were the headline performance for Detroit. Jalen Duren’s 16 rebounds gave the Pistons a major advantage on the glass, while Detroit’s 21 offensive rebounds created valuable second chances.

Boston answered with a broader offensive attack. Jaylen Brown supplied 33 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Derrick White added 27 points while making six three-pointers, including several critical shots late in the fourth quarter. Payton Pritchard and Baylor Scheierman also supplied important perimeter scoring.

The team numbers explain the final margin. Detroit shot 30.6 percent from three, while Boston shot 46.5 percent. Detroit won the rebounding battle, but Boston produced more assists, fewer turnovers, more made threes and greater overall shooting efficiency.

The closing possessions ultimately reflected those broader trends. Boston converted its opportunities, created a crucial late turnover and secured the defensive rebound after Cunningham’s missed third free throw.

The result was a 117-114 Celtics victory in a game that featured 19 lead changes and 11 ties.

For readers analyzing this matchup, the most useful takeaway is not simply who scored the most. The deeper story is how Cunningham’s individual scoring, Duren’s rebounding, Brown’s all-around production and White’s perimeter shooting combined to create one of the most tightly contested games of Detroit and Boston’s 2025-26 campaign.