Hunter Patterson
@hunterpatterson.bsky.social
Covering the Detroit Pistons for The Athletic.
Another night, another dominant outing from Jalen Duren and the Pistons. Detroit’s depth, defense, and Duren’s expanded offensive role extend the winning streak to 10 games.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
Jalen Duren is making an All-Star case as he powers Pistons to 10th straight win
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Another night, another dominant outing from Jalen Duren and the Pistons. Detroit’s depth, defense, and Duren’s expanded offensive role extend the winning streak to 10 games.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
A dap between Cade Cunningham and Kevin Durant confirmed it: Cade’s signature Nikes are expected to drop in the spring of 2027.
“It’s a dream come true, bro.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
“It’s a dream come true, bro.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
Cade Cunningham becomes sixth active NBA player to get a Nike signature shoe
Cunningham will join LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Devin Booker and Ja Morant as signature Nike athletes.
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:21 PM
A dap between Cade Cunningham and Kevin Durant confirmed it: Cade’s signature Nikes are expected to drop in the spring of 2027.
“It’s a dream come true, bro.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
“It’s a dream come true, bro.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
Six players sidelined? No problem for the Pistons’ “nasty dogs.” Detroit’s ninth consecutive win highlights its identity.
“They’ve just got a nastiness to them, and that’s the fun part. … We like to push people’s buttons and see how they respond.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
“They’ve just got a nastiness to them, and that’s the fun part. … We like to push people’s buttons and see how they respond.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
Pistons' 'nasty dogs' mentality extends win streak to 9 after beating 76ers
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Six players sidelined? No problem for the Pistons’ “nasty dogs.” Detroit’s ninth consecutive win highlights its identity.
“They’ve just got a nastiness to them, and that’s the fun part. … We like to push people’s buttons and see how they respond.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
“They’ve just got a nastiness to them, and that’s the fun part. … We like to push people’s buttons and see how they respond.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
The Pistons believe “what’s brewing in (their) locker room is special.” Here’s more on the brotherhood driving Detroit’s win streak.
“(Tonight) was a testament to how hard we play and how much we care for each other.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
“(Tonight) was a testament to how hard we play and how much we care for each other.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
Pistons' 8 straight wins show 'what's brewing in that locker room is special'
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:34 PM
The Pistons believe “what’s brewing in (their) locker room is special.” Here’s more on the brotherhood driving Detroit’s win streak.
“(Tonight) was a testament to how hard we play and how much we care for each other.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
“(Tonight) was a testament to how hard we play and how much we care for each other.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
Wrote on a wild Pistons win, Daniss Jenkins’ clutch performance and why the outcome was more important than Cade Cunningham's missed shots during a career night.
“When it’s said and done, he’ll be one of the best Detroit Pistons players of all time.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
“When it’s said and done, he’ll be one of the best Detroit Pistons players of all time.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Cade Cunningham's career-night carrys East-leading Pistons past Wizards
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Wrote on a wild Pistons win, Daniss Jenkins’ clutch performance and why the outcome was more important than Cade Cunningham's missed shots during a career night.
“When it’s said and done, he’ll be one of the best Detroit Pistons players of all time.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
“When it’s said and done, he’ll be one of the best Detroit Pistons players of all time.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
The Pistons are off to their best 10-game start in 20 years and sit atop the Eastern Conference.
I wrote on what’s been driving Detroit’s success, from Cade Cunningham’s continued ascension to Jalen Duren’s fourth-year leap and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
I wrote on what’s been driving Detroit’s success, from Cade Cunningham’s continued ascension to Jalen Duren’s fourth-year leap and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
How the East-leading Pistons are off to their best 10-game start in 20 years
Ascensions by Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren, defensive toughness and other factors have fueled a six-game winning streak.
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:04 PM
The Pistons are off to their best 10-game start in 20 years and sit atop the Eastern Conference.
I wrote on what’s been driving Detroit’s success, from Cade Cunningham’s continued ascension to Jalen Duren’s fourth-year leap and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
I wrote on what’s been driving Detroit’s success, from Cade Cunningham’s continued ascension to Jalen Duren’s fourth-year leap and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
The Pistons are off to their best start since 2008-09. Cade Cunningham’s fourth-quarter dominance thus far is a major reason why.
“Everything you want in a No. 1 guy, Cade is it.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
“Everything you want in a No. 1 guy, Cade is it.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
Cade Cunningham, Pistons turning the corner toward 'not being losers'
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:12 PM
The Pistons are off to their best start since 2008-09. Cade Cunningham’s fourth-quarter dominance thus far is a major reason why.
“Everything you want in a No. 1 guy, Cade is it.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
“Everything you want in a No. 1 guy, Cade is it.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
The synergy between Jalen Duren and Cade Cunningham was on full display in Mexico City.
Here's more on their chemistry and how it can elevate the Pistons moving forward:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Here's more on their chemistry and how it can elevate the Pistons moving forward:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Pistons' Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren show chemistry, create career nights in Mexico City
www.nytimes.com
November 2, 2025 at 5:17 PM
The synergy between Jalen Duren and Cade Cunningham was on full display in Mexico City.
Here's more on their chemistry and how it can elevate the Pistons moving forward:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Here's more on their chemistry and how it can elevate the Pistons moving forward:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Tomorrow will be a home game for the Pistons in Mexico City. Here’s more on how they’re bringing Detroit basketball to Arena CDMX.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Pistons prepped to bring some ‘Deeeetroit Basketball’ to fans in Mexico City
The Pistons are the home team in Mexico City which means they're going to be putting on a show for their international fans.
www.nytimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Tomorrow will be a home game for the Pistons in Mexico City. Here’s more on how they’re bringing Detroit basketball to Arena CDMX.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Reposted by Hunter Patterson
Morning roundtable @theathletic.com with @talkhoops.bsky.social @hunterpatterson.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Victor Wembanyama’s wizardry, Sixers’ hot start and more NBA early-season surprises
Will Philly ever lose? (Probably.) What about San Antonio? (Also probably.) Still, their starts and others have opened our eyes.
www.nytimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Morning roundtable @theathletic.com with @talkhoops.bsky.social @hunterpatterson.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
After an uncharacteristic start to the season, Cade Cunningham returned to All-NBA form with a historic performance last night.
“I just wanted to respond for my team.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
“I just wanted to respond for my team.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Pistons’ Cade Cunningham regains his form, and then some, in win over Magic
Looking like the All-NBA version of himself, Cunningham went off for 30 points, 10 assists and six rebounds on Wednesday.
www.nytimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 3:31 PM
After an uncharacteristic start to the season, Cade Cunningham returned to All-NBA form with a historic performance last night.
“I just wanted to respond for my team.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
“I just wanted to respond for my team.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
The Pistons went 11 minutes of game time without a made field goal last night as the Cavs put together a 25-3 run and never looked back.
Here’s more on Detroit's dry spell and how the team is still searching for its offensive flow:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
Here’s more on Detroit's dry spell and how the team is still searching for its offensive flow:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
Pistons still searching for offensive flow after blowout loss to Cavaliers
Detroit's offense remains too stagnant, as evidenced by a long dry spell against Cleveland at home.
www.nytimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:08 PM
The Pistons went 11 minutes of game time without a made field goal last night as the Cavs put together a 25-3 run and never looked back.
Here’s more on Detroit's dry spell and how the team is still searching for its offensive flow:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
Here’s more on Detroit's dry spell and how the team is still searching for its offensive flow:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
Cavs up 63-41 on the Pistons at the half.
Detroit shot just 13/43 from the field, 6/18 from distance, has 11 turnovers and 18 fouls. Cleveland has been in control from the jump.
Detroit shot just 13/43 from the field, 6/18 from distance, has 11 turnovers and 18 fouls. Cleveland has been in control from the jump.
October 28, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Cavs up 63-41 on the Pistons at the half.
Detroit shot just 13/43 from the field, 6/18 from distance, has 11 turnovers and 18 fouls. Cleveland has been in control from the jump.
Detroit shot just 13/43 from the field, 6/18 from distance, has 11 turnovers and 18 fouls. Cleveland has been in control from the jump.
The fouls are definitely a problem for the Pistons so far, but they also only have four assists to nine turnovers. And the Cavs have capitalized on those for 14 points.
October 28, 2025 at 12:06 AM
The fouls are definitely a problem for the Pistons so far, but they also only have four assists to nine turnovers. And the Cavs have capitalized on those for 14 points.
Good stuff from Jalen Duren in short-roll situations thus far. He’s already got two assists and seems comfortable making those reads.
October 27, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Good stuff from Jalen Duren in short-roll situations thus far. He’s already got two assists and seems comfortable making those reads.
Even with a Jalen Duren ejection and Isaiah Stewart and Ron Holland II fouling out, the Pistons’ goal was “controlling chaos.”
Here’s more on how doing so last night led to their first win of the season.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
Here’s more on how doing so last night led to their first win of the season.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
Jalen Duren ejected for elbowing Amen Thompson, but Pistons rally to defeat Rockets
www.nytimes.com
October 25, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Even with a Jalen Duren ejection and Isaiah Stewart and Ron Holland II fouling out, the Pistons’ goal was “controlling chaos.”
Here’s more on how doing so last night led to their first win of the season.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
Here’s more on how doing so last night led to their first win of the season.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
Despite the Pistons’ late charge, their lackluster start was too much to overcome last night.
“We’ve got to come out with more urgency. This is the year that we want to get something done, so that’s not an appropriate way to start.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
“We’ve got to come out with more urgency. This is the year that we want to get something done, so that’s not an appropriate way to start.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
Pistons wait too late to show ‘sense of urgency’ in season-opening loss to Bulls
"We are, obviously, still a work in progress," says head coach J.B. Bickerstaff after Wednesday's loss.
www.nytimes.com
October 23, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Despite the Pistons’ late charge, their lackluster start was too much to overcome last night.
“We’ve got to come out with more urgency. This is the year that we want to get something done, so that’s not an appropriate way to start.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
“We’ve got to come out with more urgency. This is the year that we want to get something done, so that’s not an appropriate way to start.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
Thanks to Ausar Thompson’s first healthy offseason, he has “the mentality of wanting to kill whoever” is in front of him this year.
An exclusive on his summer, how Amen helped inspire his new mindset and why the Pistons believe he’s ready to break out:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
An exclusive on his summer, how Amen helped inspire his new mindset and why the Pistons believe he’s ready to break out:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
Pistons' Ausar Thompson ready to 'flip' script after productive, healthy offseason
www.nytimes.com
October 21, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Thanks to Ausar Thompson’s first healthy offseason, he has “the mentality of wanting to kill whoever” is in front of him this year.
An exclusive on his summer, how Amen helped inspire his new mindset and why the Pistons believe he’s ready to break out:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
An exclusive on his summer, how Amen helped inspire his new mindset and why the Pistons believe he’s ready to break out:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
With the deadline in the rearview, here’s more on Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren not reaching rookie-scale extensions with the Pistons:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
2022 draftees Jalen Duren, Jaden Ivey will be restricted free agents
www.nytimes.com
October 21, 2025 at 12:32 AM
With the deadline in the rearview, here’s more on Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren not reaching rookie-scale extensions with the Pistons:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
With the Pistons less than a week away from their regular-season opener, here are a handful of observations from preseason.
How Jaden Ivey’s absence could affect rotations, evaluating point Ausar Thompson, looking into Jalen Duren’s development and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...
How Jaden Ivey’s absence could affect rotations, evaluating point Ausar Thompson, looking into Jalen Duren’s development and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...
Jaden Ivey’s surgery complicates Pistons’ early-season plans
Detroit got some tough news on Ivey, but Cade Cunnigham's shooting is one of a few positive preseason developments.
www.nytimes.com
October 17, 2025 at 2:42 PM
With the Pistons less than a week away from their regular-season opener, here are a handful of observations from preseason.
How Jaden Ivey’s absence could affect rotations, evaluating point Ausar Thompson, looking into Jalen Duren’s development and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...
How Jaden Ivey’s absence could affect rotations, evaluating point Ausar Thompson, looking into Jalen Duren’s development and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...
Detroit (preseason) basketball is back tonight. Here’s a Pistons primer with depth-chart predictions and storylines to watch for:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...
Pistons preview: Jaden Ivey could be secret weapon for Detroit this season
"He looks explosive, he looks comfortable out there. He looks like himself," says coach J.B. Bickerstaff of Ivey.
www.nytimes.com
October 6, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Detroit (preseason) basketball is back tonight. Here’s a Pistons primer with depth-chart predictions and storylines to watch for:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...
J.B. Bickerstaff wants the Pistons to go from a “great defensive team to an explosive offensive team.” Here’s more on how:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...
Pistons hope to keep turning good defense into ‘explosive’ offense
Detroit hopes to use its athleticism to create turnovers and lead to easy transition baskets this season.
www.nytimes.com
October 3, 2025 at 7:22 PM
J.B. Bickerstaff wants the Pistons to go from a “great defensive team to an explosive offensive team.” Here’s more on how:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...
With Pistons training camp tipping off today, here are five takeaways from media day:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...
Pistons media day: Cade Cunningham’s aspirations, no restrictions on Jaden Ivey
Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons are ready to move on from last season's success and take the next step in their development.
www.nytimes.com
September 30, 2025 at 1:34 PM
With Pistons training camp tipping off today, here are five takeaways from media day:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...
The Motor City Cruise are hosting open tryouts tomorrow. Here’s more on how John Ukomadu went from last year’s tryout to entering his second season with the Cruise.
“I knew what I wanted out of basketball. … So why not take the chance now?”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...
“I knew what I wanted out of basketball. … So why not take the chance now?”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...
How Motor City Cruise offers local hoopers an opportunity for $250 and a dream
"There are always talented guys that sort of slip through the cracks," Cruise GM Max Unger says of the G League tryout opportunity.
www.nytimes.com
September 19, 2025 at 2:51 PM
The Motor City Cruise are hosting open tryouts tomorrow. Here’s more on how John Ukomadu went from last year’s tryout to entering his second season with the Cruise.
“I knew what I wanted out of basketball. … So why not take the chance now?”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...
“I knew what I wanted out of basketball. … So why not take the chance now?”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...
Can confirm the NBA has launched its own investigation into Malik Beasley’s gambling allegations. Here’s more on what we know:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...
www.nytimes.com
September 10, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Can confirm the NBA has launched its own investigation into Malik Beasley’s gambling allegations. Here’s more on what we know:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...