This similarity between the Pistons' record winning and losing streaks is too eerie to ignore

Jeremy Beren

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This similarity between the Pistons' record winning and losing streaks is too eerie to ignore image

Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The Detroit Pistons on Monday night continued their scorching start to the 2025-26 NBA season.

Though they nearly blew an 18-point lead in the fourth quarter, the Pistons fought off the Indiana Pacers to win, 122-117, and extend their winning streak to 13 games.

Detroit remains first in the Eastern Conference and has tied a team record by winning 15 of its first 17 games. The Pistons' 13-game winning streak also ties a franchise record, set by the 1989-90 and 2003-04 teams. Those two Pistons teams both ended the season as NBA champions.

Only time will tell whether this Cade Cunningham-led group has the same fate. But they have already beaten the odds to surge to the top of the East, two years after producing one of the worst seasons in NBA history.

The Pacers' involvement in Pistons' history

On Nov. 24, 2023, the Pistons suffered a 136-113 loss to the Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. It dropped Detroit's record to 2-14 and marked the Pistons' 13th loss in a row -- part of a record 28-game losing streak that would continue for another five weeks.

Fast-forward to Nov. 24, 2025 -- two years to the day of that loss in Indianapolis. The Pistons were back at the Fieldhouse and this time won  their 13th game in a row to stay ahead of the red-hot Toronto Raptors atop the conference.

It is yet another indication of how remarkable this turnaround in Detroit has been. A franchise that appeared rudderless 24 months ago has emerged as a legitimate championship contender, with homegrown players like Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson breathing new life into Detroit basketball.

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Editorial Team