Dia De Los Dunks: NBA Lights Up Mexico City As Pistons Stun Mavs

Last Updated:November 02, 2025, 16:44 IST

Detroit Pistons beat Dallas Mavericks 122-110 at Arena CDMX during the NBA Mexico City Game, led by Jalen Duren’s 33 points, celebrating Día de los Muertos.

(Credit: AP)

The Detroit Pistons turned up the heat in the thin Mexico City air, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 122-110 on Saturday in front of a roaring sellout crowd at Arena CDMX.

The annual NBA Mexico City Game once again mixed elite basketball with the colorful spirit of Día de los Muertos, transforming the 20,000-seat venue into a spectacle of jerseys, skull face paint, and pure fiesta.

The event marked the 11th straight sellout for the NBA in Mexico, underlining the country’s growing status as the league’s strongest international market.

“It was important for us to come out here and perform at a high level," said Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff. “It’s an honor to be flag-bearers of the NBA in international cities. The fans were amazing, energetic, supportive, into every play."

Detroit closed strong, outscoring Dallas 35-17 in the fourth quarter, led by a breakout performance from Jalen Duren, who poured in a career-high 33 points and 10 rebounds.

“That shows what we’re capable of," Bickerstaff added. “We just have to be more consistent on that end."

For Dallas, making their record eighth appearance in Mexico, the altitude proved as much a challenge as the Pistons’ defense.

“The altitude is real," admitted coach Jason Kidd. “You could see it take a toll, but the atmosphere was incredible — the fans’ passion and knowledge were on full display."

Rookie Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall draft pick, made his first international appearance and was visibly moved by the reception.

“It was incredible … the crowd was amazing," he said. “It doesn’t matter where you’re from, it’s about how hard you’re willing to work and what you’re ready to sacrifice."

With 34 NBA games now held in Mexico and the G League’s Capitanes de Ciudad de México deepening local ties, Saturday’s matchup added another electric chapter to the NBA’s expanding global story.

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

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