November 9, 2026 at 5:21 AM UTC

Postgame Report

Reaves scores 43 without Doncic as Lakers survive Pistons' rally from 24 down

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With NBA scoring leader Luka Doncic out of the lineup, Austin Reaves went for 43 and Los Angeles built a 38-14 first quarter, then held on 121-116 in Detroit.

This page is the postgame report. The box score is the main page for the game, and the matchup history collects every meeting between these teams.

Luka Doncic, who arrived in Detroit averaging 40 points a game, did not play, and Austin Reaves filled the space with 43 on 14-of-27 shooting, including four threes. The Lakers raced to a 38-14 first quarter, then spent the rest of the night keeping the Pistons at arm's length. Detroit won each of the last three quarters and still lost 121-116.

The Pistons did their damage from the perimeter. Daniss Jenkins scored 31 and hit 8 of 15 from three, and Kevin Huerter added 24 on 9-of-14 shooting. They cut a 24-point hole to 61-48 at halftime after a 34-23 second quarter, and to 88-81 after three. Cade Cunningham had 8 assists but only 14 points on 6-of-15 shooting.

Walker Kessler supplied the Lakers' other notable line: 12 points, 16 rebounds and 4 assists in 29 minutes, a double-double that mattered on a night the Pistons kept coming. Collin Sexton scored 17 in 24 minutes, and Ziaire Williams matched him with 17 off the bench in 21, with four threes on eight tries. No other Laker reached 20.

Detroit won the fourth quarter 35-33 but never had enough left to close the gap. A 14-point opening quarter undid the Pistons, who were coming off a 112-106 loss to Philadelphia. Reed had 8 points and 10 rebounds and Thompson 7 and 11, but the Pistons spent the night climbing out of the first quarter and fell short.

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