Duren, Jekins Help Detroit Pistons Down GSW And Punch NBA Playoffs Ticket

Last Updated:March 21, 2026, 13:50 IST

Jalen Duren scored 23 points and Daniss Jenkins added 22 for Detroit as the Pistons romped to their 51st win of the season with a 115-101 triumph over the Warriors.

The Detroit Pistons defeated the Golden State Warriors 115-101 on Friday, becoming the first Eastern Conference team to clinch an NBA playoff berth.

Jalen Duren scored 23 points and Daniss Jenkins added 22 for Detroit, which earned its 51st win of the season despite the absence of star guard Cade Cunningham, who will be out for at least two weeks with a collapsed lung.

Ausar Thompson recorded seven of the Pistons’ 16 steals. In total, the Warriors committed 26 turnovers, leading to 32 points for Detroit.

“That was a point of emphasis for us going into the game, trying to figure out how our defence can create that chaos that we’re looking for," said Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff.

The Boston Celtics maintained their grip on second place in the East with a 117-112 come-from-behind win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Jaylen Brown scored 30 points, and reserve Luka Garza added 22, including 11 in the fourth quarter, as the Celtics held off the injury-depleted Grizzlies.

Memphis led by four entering the fourth quarter and were up 103-102 with 5:33 remaining. Boston responded with a 10-0 run to secure the win and stay ahead of the third-placed New York Knicks, who edged the Brooklyn Nets 93-92.

Karl-Anthony Towns tallied 26 points and 15 rebounds, and Jalen Brunson contributed 17 points and eight assists for the Knicks, who erased an early 13-point deficit, then blew a 14-point fourth-quarter lead before ultimately pulling out the victory.

In Houston, the Rockets brought the Atlanta Hawks’ 11-game winning streak to an abrupt end with a 117-95 blowout.

Kevin Durant scored 25 points and Jabari Smith Jr. added 23 points and nine rebounds for Houston. Alperen Sengun chipped in 15 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists as the Rockets strengthened their playoff bid after back-to-back losses to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 21 points to lead the Hawks, who slipped to seventh place in the East.

In Portland, Jerami Grant hit the go-ahead three-pointer with 21.3 seconds remaining as the Trail Blazers edged the Minnesota Timberwolves 108-104.

Julius Randle’s basket had given the Timberwolves a 104-103 lead before Grant took an inbounds pass and buried a three-pointer to make it 106-104. He then grabbed a rebound at the other end and sank two free throws to seal the win.

Grant finished with 26 points, Deni Avdija scored 25, and Donovan Clingan added 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Blazers. Randle led Minnesota with 19 points, as the Timberwolves again played without injured All-Star Anthony Edwards.

In Denver, Jamal Murray scored 31 points, Tim Hardaway Jr. added 23 off the bench, and Nikola Jokic had 22 points, eight rebounds and nine assists as the Nuggets beat the Toronto Raptors 121-115.

Jakob Poeltl led the Raptors with 23 points. Toronto was ahead by as many as 11 in the third quarter.

Murray scored 12 points in the fourth quarter and Hardaway added nine to power Denver’s comeback.

With the score tied at 115-115, Jokic hit a fadeaway jumper to give the Nuggets the lead for good with 44.9 seconds remaining.

(With Inputs From Agencies)

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