Pistons Clinch Playoff Berth, Hawks’ Streak Snapped – NBA Roundup

Detroit, United States – March 21, 2026 – The Detroit Pistons are the first team in the Eastern Conference to clinch a spot in the NBA playoffs. The milestone was secured with a 115-101 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Friday night.

Pistons Punch Ticket to Postseason

Despite the absence of star guard Cade Cunningham, sidelined with a chest injury, the Pistons delivered a dominant performance. Jalen Duren led the charge with 23 points, while Daniss Jenkins stepped up in Cunningham’s place, nearly recording a triple-double with 22 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds.

ClutchPoints – “The Detroit Pistons are officially heading back to the postseason.”

Detroit’s defense proved to be a nightmare for the Warriors, forcing a staggering 26 turnovers which resulted in 32 points for the Pistons. Ausar Thompson had a career-high seven steals.

Hawks’ Winning Streak Ends

The Atlanta Hawks’ impressive 11-game winning streak was brought to a halt by the Houston Rockets, who secured a 117-95 victory. Kevin Durant led the Rockets with 25 points, supported by Jabari Smith Jr.’s 23 points and Alperen Sengun’s near triple-double of 15 points, 10 assists, and 9 rebounds.

Eastern Conference Highlights

• New York Knicks Defeat Brooklyn Nets: The Knicks won the “Sizeable Apple derby” 93-92, marking their fourteenth consecutive victory in the series. Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with a double-double of 26 points and 15 rebounds.
• Boston Celtics Beat Memphis Grizzlies: The Celtics secured a 117-112 win over the Grizzlies, fueled by Jaylen Brown’s 30 points and Luka Garza’s season-best 22 points off the bench.

Western Conference Action

The Denver Nuggets defeated the Toronto Raptors 121-115, led by Jamal Murray’s 31 points. The Portland Trail Blazers upset the Minnesota Timberwolves 108-104, with Jerami Grant scoring 26 points and Deni Avdija adding 25.

Did You Know?

The Pistons’ playoff berth marks the second consecutive year the team will participate in the postseason, a significant turnaround from a league-worst 14-68 record just two seasons ago.

FAQ

• Who led the Pistons in scoring? Jalen Duren led the Pistons with 23 points.
• Which team ended the Hawks’ winning streak? The Houston Rockets ended the Hawks’ 11-game winning streak.
• Who won the New York-Brooklyn rivalry game? The New York Knicks defeated the Brooklyn Nets 93-92.

The Pistons’ resurgence and the end of the Hawks’ streak highlight the dynamic nature of the NBA season as teams battle for playoff positioning.