Key Takeaways:
- Tobias Harris secured 22 points and sank two decisive free throws with 2 seconds left on Tuesday night
- Cade Cunningham recorded 22 points and distributed 11 assists for Detroit
- Jamal Murray posted 24 points and 10 assists for Denver but faltered from the line during crucial moments
Match Analysis
The Detroit Pistons managed to withstand a determined comeback from the Denver Nuggets, holding on for a narrow 109-107 triumph on Tuesday night in Denver. Tobias Harris played a pivotal role down the stretch, pouring in 22 points and calmly converting two vital free throws with just 2 seconds left to secure the result.
Detroit Dub to start the road trip‼️ pic.twitter.com/L0LmhGBAUs
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) January 28, 2026
Key Performances
Cade Cunningham produced an impressive double-double for Detroit, tallying 22 points along with 11 assists, driving the Pistons to their ninth win in the last eleven fixtures. Detroit now sits firmly in first place in the Eastern Conference, 5.5 games ahead of Boston.
For Denver, Jamal Murray notched 24 points and 10 assists but faltered at the charity stripe when the pressure was highest. Down 107-104 with 4 seconds on the clock, Murray was awarded three free throws after being fouled on a 3-point attempt but missed the initial attempt. Harris then converted both of his free throws to extend Detroit’s lead. Murray again found himself at the line with 0.7 seconds left but was unable to convert the second attempt, sealing the outcome in Detroit’s favour.
Jonas Valanciunas delivered a strong showing on his return from a one-game absence, amassing 16 points and 16 rebounds for Denver. The Nuggets had their previous game at Memphis postponed due to a winter storm, resulting in travel disruptions that left them stranded until Monday morning.
Roster and Injury Updates
The Nuggets were forced to play shorthanded, missing Aaron Gordon, who aggravated his right hamstring last Friday in Milwaukee. Nikola Jokic, Cameron Johnson, and Christian Braun all continued their rehabilitation from injury. Valanciunas, who had missed 11 matches due to a right calf strain sustained on 31 December at Toronto, made his return in Thursday night’s victory over Washington but was rested against Milwaukee.
Late Drama and Game Progression
Detroit surged to an 18-point lead during the second quarter and maintained an 11-point advantage early in the fourth. However, the Nuggets orchestrated a spirited rally, trimming the deficit to a single basket following a 7-2 run. Tim Hardaway Jr.’s 3-point shot brought Denver within one at 103-102 with 57 seconds left, but the Pistons managed to hold their nerve in the closing moments.
| Team | Top Scorer(s) | Key Statistics | Notable Absences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Pistons | Tobias Harris (22), Cade Cunningham (22) | Cunningham: 11 assists | None listed |
| Denver Nuggets | Jamal Murray (24) | Murray: 10 assists; Valanciunas: 16 points, 16 rebounds | Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic, Cameron Johnson, Christian Braun |
What’s Next
- Detroit Pistons: Will visit Phoenix on Thursday night
- Denver Nuggets: Set to host Brooklyn on Thursday night
