Detroit Pistons 116-121 Los Angeles Lakers: Reaves hits 43
Austin Reaves scored 43 points as the Los Angeles Lakers held off a Detroit Pistons fightback to win 121-116 at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday.
Lakers survive after flying start
The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Detroit Pistons 121-116 at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday, 8 November 2026. The game was effectively shaped in the opening period, which the visitors won 38-14.
Detroit responded by taking each of the remaining three quarters, 34-23, 33-27 and 35-33. That comeback narrowed the gap but did not close it, and the Lakers held on for the win.
Key moments
Austin Reaves was the decisive figure, finishing with 43 points and 4 assists. Reaves felt he had a very fortunate night against the Detroit Pistons, but his scoring kept the Lakers ahead as Detroit chipped away.
For the hosts, Daniss Jenkins carried the scoring load with 31 points. The Pistons' improvement after the first quarter came too late to overturn the early deficit.
The numbers
Walker Kessler controlled the glass for the Lakers with 16 rebounds, supporting Reaves' scoring output. Ausar Thompson led Detroit with 11 rebounds.
Cade Cunningham was the Pistons' chief playmaker with 8 assists. The quarter-by-quarter scores read 14-38, 34-23, 33-27 and 35-33 from Detroit's perspective.
What it means
The win keeps the Los Angeles Lakers top of the NBA standings, first of 30 teams with a 9-2 record from 11 games. They have scored 1341 points and conceded 1259 this season.
The Detroit Pistons drop to 6-3 after nine games and sit 9th. Despite the defeat, they have outscored opponents 1005 to 935 so far.
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