The Detroit Pistons are closing out their season with one of their most challenging stretches yet — and so far, they haven’t been able to rise to the challenge. Amid a four-game homestand, the Pistons have dropped their first two, including Monday’s 127-117 loss to the Sacramento Kings. Cade Cunningham led the way with 35 points, and Tim Hardaway Jr. chipped in 19. But the night’s story was DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, who lit up the Pistons defense for a combined 80 points in a dominant showing.
The Pistons didn’t just struggle to contain the Kings on the perimeter — they also got beat up on the boards. Sacramento outrebounded Detroit 50-37, marking the second straight game the Pistons have struggled in that category. The Memphis Grizzlies crushed them two nights earlier on the glass 64-44.
This sudden drop-off raises questions for a team that’s been among the league’s better-rebounding squads this season. Is this just a late-season blip the kind of stretch every team goes through or is it a warning sign of something deeper that needs addressing moving forward?
The Pistons’ Rebounding Struggles: What’s Behind the Slump
The Tobias Harris Impact on Pistons’ Rebounding
The Pistons boast one of the better-rebounding frontcourt duos in the league with Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, who combine to average 16.0 of Detroit’s 44.9 rebounds per game. But even with that core intact, the recent dip in the glass has exposed a key absence: Tobias Harris.
Harris, who’s third on the team in rebounding at 6.0 per game, has missed the last five contests and his presence has been missed. During that span, the Pistons lost the rebounding battle in all but one game. Opponents have grabbed 268 rebounds averaging 53.6 boards per game compared to the Pistons’ 215 total and 43 average.
Harris may not be a traditional big, but his rebounding instincts and physicality have been a stabilizing force all season. Without him, that edge has started to fade and the numbers back it up.
All Hands On Deck
The Pistons are at their best when they’re pushing the pace. But in the half-court, things tend to break down. For a team built to run, securing rebounds is essential — you can’t get out in transition if you’re not finishing defensive possessions on the glass. Lately, that’s been a problem.
The Pistons may need to shift their focus and commit more bodies to rebounding to keep their offensive rhythm. As physical and capable as Stewart and Duren are down low, they can’t do it alone. Perimeter players must help secure boards to reignite Detroit’s fast-break attack. If the Pistons want to play their style, it starts with everyone crashing the glass, not just the bigs.
Opponents Matching the Pistons’ Physicality
The Pistons have spent the season reclaiming the rigid, physical identity that once defined their most successful teams. That edge has been a refreshing contrast in a league increasingly focused on finesse and offense. But sometimes, that physical style can be a double-edged sword.
Take the March 30th matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. After getting involved in the Ron Holland–Naz Reid scuffle, Stewart was ejected, leaving Duren as the lone interior anchor. The Timberwolves wasted no time taking advantage — especially Rudy Gobert, who pulled down 25 rebounds, including a staggering 15 on the offensive glass. That kind of board dominance helped tip the game in Minnesota’s favor.
A similar story played out Saturday night when Zach Edey racked up 21 rebounds with Stewart as the Pistons’ only consistent rebounding presence. And on Monday, Sacramento’s bigs came prepared. Domantas Sabonis led the charge with 15 rebounds, while Jonas Valančiūnas came off the bench and grabbed 12 in just 12 minutes — a statement performance from both players. The Pistons have the physicality — but when they cannot be physical, opposing bigs have taken full advantage.
The Last Word
The Pistons’ recent struggles on the glass go beyond numbers — they reflect a team that has momentarily lost its edge. They have strayed from the gritty, physical identity they aimed to build this season, missing key pieces like Harris, battling foul trouble, and getting outworked.
But the good news? The blueprint is already in place. The Pistons can compete with anyone when rebound, defend, and play purposefully. Reclaiming that identity especially as they wrap up the season won’t just help them end strong; it’ll serve as a foundation heading into the offseason and beyond. Every possession starts with a rebound, and for the Pistons, so does their path forward.
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