Cade Cunningham records 18 points and seven assists as Detroit survives Toronto’s 45-point fourth quarter rally, with Malachi Smith and Trayce Jackson-Davis leading the Raptors’ late charge.
The Detroit Pistons closed their 2026 NBA preseason with a 129-125 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Friday, October 16, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. The official NBA.com Box Score confirms the four-point result as the final exhibition matchup for both teams.
Detroit’s offense produced enough points across the first three quarters to withstand Toronto’s furious finish. The Raptors exploded for 45 points in the fourth quarter, making the closing stretch far more competitive than the earlier scoreline suggested. However, the Pistons held on to secure the win and finish their exhibition schedule with a positive 3-1 record.
Cade Cunningham Leads Detroit’s Offense
Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 18 points and seven assists, delivering an efficient performance (8-of-12 FG) to keep the Pistons in a steady offensive rhythm. His scoring and playmaking helped the home team establish a comfortable second-half cushion before Toronto mounted its late comeback.
Jalen Duren added 14 points, providing another strong interior scoring option for Detroit. Ausar Thompson contributed 12 points, three rebounds, and four assists on a perfect 5-for-5 from the field. John Collins also scored 12 points and collected eight rebounds, strengthening the Pistons’ frontcourt contribution.
One of Detroit’s most vital performances came from rookie Ebuka Okorie, who scored 14 points in just nine minutes of action. Checking in during the fourth quarter, his quick scoring burst proved essential to stave off Toronto's push and secure the win.
Toronto’s Bench Makes a Strong Impression
Toronto entered the preseason finale with a heavily modified lineup, resting its regular rotation players Scottie Barnes and Kawhi Leonard and creating extended opportunities for depth players to compete for roster roles.
Malachi Smith led Toronto with 24 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. He made four of seven attempts from three-point range, giving the Raptors a dangerous perimeter weapon during their comeback effort.
Trayce Jackson-Davis finished with 23 points, repeatedly drawing fouls and converting at the free-throw line by shooting an aggressive 15-of-16 from the stripe.
Nimari Burnett added 17 points and five rebounds, while Alijah Martin scored 15 points to help keep the Raptors within striking distance during a competitive first half.
Detroit Establishes Control Through Three Quarters
The teams were evenly matched in the opening period, finishing the first quarter tied at 33-33.
Detroit gained real ground in the second period, outscoring Toronto 26-19 to take a 59-52 lead at halftime. The Pistons continued to build their advantage right after the break, scoring 34 points in the third quarter while holding Toronto to 28. That stretch left Detroit comfortably ahead 93-80 entering the final period.
The 13-point cushion provided some breathing room, but Toronto responded with an elite offensive display, racking up 45 points in the fourth quarter. A 13-0 run by the Raptors' depth players briefly gave Toronto a 100-99 lead midway through the period, but Detroit’s young unit responded cleanly. The Pistons added 36 points of their own in the frame to protect their advantage and secure the 129-125 result.
