Detroit Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff reacts to the injury news on Cade Cunningham, Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Washington.
The Detroit Pistons host the Los Angeles Lakers in a highly anticipated NBA matchup Monday night in Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit.
The game between the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons and the West’s 3-seed Lakers took a bit of a hit last week, when we learned Pistons All-Star and MVP candidate Cade Cunningham suffered a partially collapsed lung injury in a game Tuesday in Washington. He is out through the start of April at least. The Pistons also remain without defensive standout Isaiah Stewart (calf) off the bench.
The Lakers have surged to nine straight wins, led by Luka Dončić − the NBA’s scoring leader at 33.4 points per game − Austin Reaves (23.5 ppg) and 41-year-old superhuman LeBron James (21.1 ppg). The Lakers injury report has ruled out starting guard Marcus Smart and key bench contributor Rui Hachimura tonight against the Pistons.
The Pistons won at Los Angeles on Dec. 30, 128-106, behind Cunningham’s 27 points and 11 assists and Marcus Sasser’s 19 points off the bench. The Lakers were missing Reaves in that game.
Will the Pistons pull off the upset despite missing their best player? Here’s our Lakers-Pistons prediction for the game score.
[ Cade Cunningham timeline: What other NBA lung injuries tell us ]
Pistons vs Lakers prediction
Omari Sankofa II, Detroit Free Press: The Lakers have hit their stride, entering Monday riding a nine-game winning streak. Luka Dončić is performing like an MVP and their defense, initially a weakness, has been slightly above average since All-Star weekend. But even without Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Stewart, the Pistons match up well and have won their last three against the Lakers. Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland give them strong options against Dončić and LeBron James, and they also should spark the Pistons’ transition game. The Lakers don’t have the personnel to slow down Jalen Duren. It’ll be close, but I think the Pistons can eke this one out. The score: Pistons 114, Lakers 109.
Pistons vs Lakers game time
- Matchup: East 1-seed Pistons (51-19) vs. West 3-seed Lakers (46-25).
- Date: Monday, March 23.
- Time: 7 p.m. ET.
- Location: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
- Box score.
Pistons vs Lakers channel
Pistons vs Lakers odds
The Lakers are a tiny road favorite over the Pistons in tonight’s game at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. The line moved a point toward the Pistons on Monday afternoon:
- Spread: Lakers by 1½ points.
- Total O/U: 226½ points.
- Moneyline: Lakers -118, Pistons -102.
Odds provided by BetMGM as of Monday afternoon.
Pistons injury report vs Lakers
Updates only on players on the 15-man roster, per the NBA official injury report.
- OUT: Cade Cunningham, Isaiah Stewart, Marcus Sasser, Bobi Klintman.
Lakers injury report vs Pistons
Updates only on players on the 15-man roster.
- OUT: Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura.
Lakers vs Pistons starting lineups projection
Here’s the projected Pistons-Lakers starting lineups:
- Pistons: Daniss Jenkins (PG), Duncan Robinson (G/F), Ausar Thompson (F), Tobias Harris (PF), Jalen Duren (C).
- Lakers: Luka Dončić (PG), Luke Kennard (G/F), Austin Reaves (G/F), LeBron James (F), Deandre Ayton (C).
Pistons top bench players: Caris LeVert (G/F), Javonte Green (G/F), Kevin Huerter (G/F), Ron Holland II (F), Paul Reed (C).
Lakers top bench players: Dalton Knecht (G/F), Jake LaRavia (F), Jarred Vanderbilt (F), Jaxson Hayes (C).
Pistons magic number to clinch 1 seed in playoffs
The Pistons’ magic number to earn the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs is 7 over the 2-seed Boston Celtics. The Pistons have already clinched a playoff berth. They lead the Celtics by 4½ games in the East and lead the Knicks by five games. The Pistons own the tiebreaker against both teams.