Pistons’ Winning Streak Ends as Thunder Continue Historic Run in NBA
Table of Contents
A remarkable surge in NBA action on Wednesday saw the Detroit Pistons’ impressive 13-game winning streak come to an end, while the oklahoma City Thunder cemented their status as a dominant force with an 18th victory in 19 games.
The detroit Pistons, aiming for a franchise-best 14th consecutive win, fell to the Boston Celtics in a tightly contested matchup, 117-114. This result underscores a shift in the league’s landscape, where well-managed teams are increasingly competitive. After years of struggling, the Pistons, who returned to the playoffs this spring but haven’t advanced since 2008, currently lead the Eastern Conference with a 15-3 record.
Despite a heroic performance from point guard Cade Cunningham, who tallied 42 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists, Detroit couldn’t secure the win. cunningham’s missed free throw in the final seconds proved crucial. The Celtics, 2023 champions, have recalibrated their ambitions following a serious injury to Jayson Tatum, but still proved a formidable opponent, with Jaylen Brown contributing 33 points and Derrick White adding 27, including a “Curryesque” four-point play late in the game. Boston now holds a 10-8 record and will face Orlando on friday for a spot in the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
Thunder Maintain Dominance with 18th Win
The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their remarkable season, achieving a 10th consecutive victory with a 113-105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. This win marks the 18th in 19 games for the defending champions,placing them among the top five teams in NBA history to achieve such a record at this stage of the season.
Canadian MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 40 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. The game remained tied until the final minutes, where key interceptions and missed free throws by Minnesota – especially from Rudy Gobert, who shot 3-of-8 from the line – sealed the thunder’s victory. The Timberwolves, despite Anthony Edwards’ 31 points, suffered their third consecutive frustrating defeat, falling to 10-8. Oklahoma City will face Phoenix on Friday with a direct berth to the NBA Cup quarterfinals on the line.
Raptors and Heat extend Streaks, Spurs Stay Competitive
In the Eastern Conference, the Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat continued their winning ways. The Raptors secured their 9th consecutive victory with a narrow 97-95 win against Indiana, while the Heat claimed their 6th straight win, defeating Milwaukee 106-103. A decisive block by Jakob Pöltl and a last-second shot from Brandon Ingram sealed the Raptors’ win. The heat were led by Jimmy Butler’s 32 points.
The San Antonio Spurs, without Victor Wembanyama due to a calf injury, also secured a win on the road, defeating Portland 115-102, led by De’Aaron Fox’s impressive 37-point performance. The Spurs will face the Denver Nuggets on Friday for a chance to advance to the quarterfinals.
© 2025 AFP
