Denver Nuggets vs Detroit Pistons Match Player Stats
The denver nuggets vs detroit pistons match player stats from January 28, 2026, tell the story of a close game that Detroit controlled early before Denver nearly completed a dramatic comeback. The Pistons defeated the Nuggets 109-107 at Ball Arena, improving to 34-11 overall and 15-6 on the road, while Denver fell to 31-16 and 12-9 at home. Tobias Harris and Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 22 points each, while Cunningham also produced 11 assists. Jamal Murray led Denver with 24 points and 10 assists, and Jonas Valanciunas dominated the glass with 16 rebounds. (ESPN)
The final margin was only two points, but the box score shows that Detroit’s victory was built on several important advantages. The Pistons committed only 6 turnovers, generated 10 steals, scored 64 points in the paint, and held a large early lead. Denver had superior rebounding numbers, shooting efficiency from three-point range, and nine blocked shots, but its 15 turnovers created too many opportunities for Detroit.
This was not simply a case of one team shooting better. The game developed around contrasting strengths. Detroit created pressure through its ball movement, transition opportunities, interior scoring, and defensive activity. Denver relied more heavily on its half-court scoring, perimeter shooting, offensive rebounding, and late-game execution.
denver nuggets vs detroit pistons match player stats
The final team statistics provide a useful starting point for understanding how the game was won.
| Category | Detroit Pistons | Denver Nuggets |
| Final Score | 109 | 107 |
| Field Goals | 44-94 | 40-84 |
| Field Goal % | 47% | 48% |
| 3-Point Field Goals | 6-31 | 10-29 |
| 3-Point % | 19% | 34% |
| Free Throws | 15-18 | 17-23 |
| Free Throw % | 83% | 74% |
| Rebounds | 41 | 49 |
| Assists | 24 | 22 |
| Turnovers | 6 | 15 |
| Steals | 10 | 4 |
| Blocks | 3 | 9 |
| Points in Paint | 64 | 48 |
| Offensive Rebounds | 13 | 13 |
| Largest Lead | 18 | 2 |
The most revealing numbers are not necessarily the scoring totals. Detroit’s 6 turnovers compared with Denver’s 15 created a nine-turnover advantage. ESPN’s team statistics also show Detroit scoring 10 points off turnovers while Denver scored 20, meaning Denver’s mistakes were costly despite its own ability to capitalize when Detroit gave the ball away. (ESPN)
Detroit also scored 64 points in the paint compared with Denver’s 48. That 16-point difference helps explain how the Pistons could win despite making only 6 of 31 three-point attempts.
Game Summary and Final Score
Detroit won 109-107 after leading for almost the entire contest. The Pistons opened the game strongly, taking a 31-18 lead after the first quarter. Denver responded in the second period, but Detroit still entered halftime with a 52-46 advantage.
The third quarter again favored Detroit, which extended its lead to 82-72 heading into the final period. Denver then produced its strongest stretch of the night.
The Nuggets reduced the deficit and eventually moved within one possession. Tim Hardaway Jr. hit a three-pointer that made the score 103-102 with 57 seconds remaining. That sequence turned the final minute into a pressure test for both teams. (ESPN)
Tobias Harris ultimately became central to the closing moments. He scored 22 points overall and made two free throws with two seconds remaining. Murray had an opportunity to make the ending even more dramatic, but he missed one of two free throws late and then missed another free throw with 0.7 seconds left.
Detroit survived the comeback attempt and secured the two-point victory.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter: Detroit Sets the Tone
Detroit won the opening quarter 31-18.
That 13-point advantage became extremely important because Denver spent the rest of the game trying to erase it. The Pistons did not need to dominate every possession after that. Instead, they had enough early separation to withstand Denver’s late push.
The opening period also established Detroit’s preference for attacking closer to the basket. The Pistons finished with 64 points in the paint, and that interior production was a major reason their poor three-point shooting did not prevent them from winning.
Second Quarter: Denver Responds
Denver answered in the second quarter, outscoring Detroit 28-21.
The Nuggets reduced the deficit to six points by halftime. This was an important response because a 13-point first-quarter deficit could easily have become much larger.
Jamal Murray’s scoring and playmaking helped keep Denver connected to the game. Jonas Valanciunas also provided a major interior presence after returning to the lineup.
Third Quarter: Detroit Regains Control
Detroit won the third quarter 30-26.
Rather than allowing Denver’s second-quarter momentum to carry over, the Pistons restored their advantage. They entered the fourth quarter ahead 82-72.
That 10-point cushion looked significant at the time, especially considering how efficiently Detroit had protected the ball.
Fourth Quarter: Denver Nearly Completes the Comeback
Denver won the final quarter 35-27.
This was the most impressive period for the Nuggets. They increased their offensive pressure and took advantage of Detroit’s difficulty maintaining its earlier separation.
The comeback became especially serious during the final two minutes. Denver cut the deficit to one point, forcing Detroit to execute under pressure.
The Pistons eventually did enough at the free-throw line to protect the lead.
Detroit Pistons Player Stats
Detroit’s individual statistics show a balanced performance rather than a one-player takeover.
Tobias Harris
Tobias Harris finished with 22 points and 8 rebounds, shooting 10-of-15 from the field and 2-of-2 from the free-throw line.
His efficiency was particularly important. Harris did not need a high number of attempts to reach 22 points. He converted 66.7% of his field-goal attempts and made every free throw he took.
More importantly, Harris delivered in the game’s decisive moments.
His two free throws with two seconds remaining gave Detroit the separation it needed. ESPN’s recap specifically identifies those late free throws as a key part of the Pistons’ victory. (ESPN)
Cade Cunningham
Cade Cunningham produced one of the most complete individual performances of the game.
He finished with:
- 22 points
- 11 assists
- 3 rebounds
- 9-of-17 shooting
- 1-of-4 from three-point range
- 3-of-4 from the free-throw line
- 1 block
- 0 turnovers
The combination of 22 points and 11 assists stands out, but the zero turnovers may be even more significant.
Cunningham was responsible for creating a large portion of Detroit’s offense while avoiding the mistakes that often come with heavy ball-handling responsibilities.
His performance helped Detroit win the possession battle.
Jalen Duren
Jalen Duren recorded 14 points and 8 rebounds while shooting 6-of-10 from the field.
His role was important because Denver had a major size advantage on the glass. The Nuggets finished with 49 total rebounds, compared with Detroit’s 41.
Duren therefore contributed to Detroit’s interior production without needing to dominate the rebounding totals.
His 14 points also helped support Detroit’s 64-point advantage in points in the paint.
Ausar Thompson
Ausar Thompson added 14 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 5 steals and 1 block.
His five steals were especially valuable.
Detroit finished with 10 steals as a team, more than double Denver’s four. Thompson’s defensive activity was a major component of that pressure.
He also shot 5-of-7 from the field and made all four of his free throws, giving Detroit efficient scoring alongside his defensive impact.
Ronald Holland II
Ronald Holland II provided useful production from the bench.
He scored 10 points, grabbed 3 rebounds and recorded 2 steals in 23 minutes. He shot 4-of-7 from the field and made 2-of-4 three-point attempts.
His perimeter shooting mattered because Detroit struggled badly from three overall.
Holland was one of the few Pistons who supplied reliable outside scoring in this matchup.
Detroit’s Supporting Cast
Isaiah Stewart scored 7 points and grabbed 2 rebounds.
Javonte Green scored 10 points with 6 rebounds, while Jaden Ivey added 8 points and 3 assists.
Duncan Robinson struggled from outside, scoring only 2 points on 1-of-9 shooting and missing all eight of his three-point attempts.
That performance highlights how unusual Detroit’s victory was from an offensive perspective. The Pistons won despite getting almost nothing from Robinson’s perimeter shooting.
Denver Nuggets Player Stats
Denver’s individual numbers reveal a team that had enough offensive production to win but gave away too many possessions.
Jamal Murray
Jamal Murray led Denver with 24 points and 10 assists.
He shot 7-of-18 from the field and 10-of-15 from the free-throw line. He also added 5 rebounds.
Murray was Denver’s main offensive creator in a game where several important players were unavailable.
His 10 assists helped the Nuggets produce 107 points despite shooting only 40-of-84 overall.
However, his late free-throw misses became part of the game’s decisive sequence.
Murray was fouled on a three-point attempt with four seconds remaining while Denver was down 107-104. He missed the first free throw, which prevented Denver from immediately cutting the deficit to one possession. He later went to the line again with 0.7 seconds remaining and missed the second free throw. (ESPN)
Jonas Valanciunas
Jonas Valanciunas delivered one of Denver’s strongest individual performances.
He finished with:
- 16 points
- 16 rebounds
- 1 assist
- 4 turnovers
- 1 steal
- 1 block
- 6-of-10 shooting
His 16 rebounds were the most in the game.
Valanciunas was particularly effective on the offensive glass, collecting 7 offensive rebounds. His work helped Denver finish with 49 total rebounds.
His return was also significant from a roster perspective. ESPN reported that he had missed 11 games because of a right calf strain before returning to the lineup earlier in the month. (ESPN)
Bruce Brown
Bruce Brown was an important bench contributor.
He scored 16 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, produced 2 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks while shooting 7-of-10 from the field.
His 16 points came efficiently, and his defensive statistics made the performance more valuable than the scoring total alone suggests.
Brown finished with a team-best plus/minus of +7 among Denver’s main rotation players.
Spencer Jones
Spencer Jones scored 12 points and shot an excellent 4-of-5 from the field, including 4-of-5 from three-point range.
That shooting was particularly valuable because Denver’s overall three-point performance was much stronger than Detroit’s.
Jones’ efficiency gave Denver a perimeter weapon while the team dealt with significant availability issues.
Peyton Watson
Peyton Watson finished with 13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks.
His three blocks contributed to Denver’s team total of nine.
Watson’s 6-of-20 shooting also shows one of the central problems for Denver. The Nuggets had multiple contributors, but not everyone converted efficiently enough to turn their statistical advantages into a win.
Shooting Comparison
One of the clearest statistical contrasts was three-point shooting.
Detroit shot only 6-of-31 from three, or 19%.
Denver shot 10-of-29, or 34%.
That gave Denver a clear perimeter advantage.
Yet Denver still lost.
This is an important lesson when evaluating box scores. Three-point percentage matters, but it does not operate independently of turnovers, free throws, paint scoring, and possession volume.
Detroit attempted 94 field goals compared with Denver’s 84. That 10-shot difference is significant.
The Pistons also made 44 field goals compared with Denver’s 40.
Detroit’s superior number of attempts helped offset its poor three-point conversion rate.
Turnovers Were a Major Difference
The turnover column may be the most important statistical explanation for the result.
Detroit committed only 6 turnovers.
Denver committed 15.
That means Denver gave the Pistons nine more possessions through turnovers.
For a game decided by two points, that difference is enormous.
Detroit also finished with 10 steals compared with Denver’s 4, suggesting that the Pistons were more disruptive defensively.
Cade Cunningham deserves particular attention here because he handled the ball extensively while committing zero turnovers.
That combination of 11 assists and zero turnovers is exactly the kind of point-guard efficiency that can stabilize a close road game.
Rebounding: Denver’s Clear Advantage
Denver won the rebounding battle 49-41.
The Nuggets also had 36 defensive rebounds compared with Detroit’s 28.
Valanciunas was the biggest reason.
His 16 rebounds, including 7 offensive boards, gave Denver additional possessions and helped the Nuggets stay competitive.
Despite losing the overall rebounding battle, Detroit did not allow the deficit on the glass to become decisive.
Both teams collected 13 offensive rebounds.
That meant the overall rebounding difference was primarily created by Denver’s defensive rebounding.
Points in the Paint Tell Another Story
Detroit scored 64 points in the paint.
Denver scored 48.
That 16-point advantage was one of Detroit’s most important offensive strengths.
It also helps explain why Detroit could survive a 19% three-point shooting night.
The Pistons were not dependent on perimeter accuracy. They generated efficient offense closer to the basket and complemented it with free-throw shooting.
Detroit made 15 of 18 free throws, an 83% conversion rate.
Denver made 17 of 23, or 74%.
The free-throw volume favored Denver slightly, but Detroit was more accurate.
Why Detroit Won
Several factors combined to produce Detroit’s victory.
1. Detroit Built an Early Lead
The Pistons led 31-18 after one quarter and eventually opened an 18-point advantage.
That cushion mattered throughout the game.
2. Detroit Protected the Ball
Six turnovers against Denver’s 15 was perhaps the cleanest statistical advantage.
The Pistons avoided giving Denver easy transition opportunities.
3. Detroit Attacked the Interior
The 64-48 advantage in points in the paint compensated for the Pistons’ poor three-point shooting.
4. Cunningham Controlled the Offense
Cunningham’s 22 points and 11 assists gave Detroit reliable creation throughout the game.
His zero turnovers were particularly impressive.
5. Harris Delivered in the Closing Seconds
Harris’ 22 points were valuable throughout the game, but his late free throws ultimately helped preserve the win.
Why Denver Lost
Denver’s loss was not caused by one glaring weakness.
Instead, several smaller disadvantages combined.
The Nuggets shot slightly better overall and clearly better from three. They also won the rebounding battle and blocked nine shots.
But 15 turnovers were costly.
The Nuggets also fell behind early and were forced to spend much of the game recovering.
Their late comeback was impressive, but the initial deficit left little room for error.
The availability situation also mattered. ESPN reported that Denver played without Aaron Gordon, while Nikola Jokic, Cameron Johnson and Christian Braun were continuing to rehab injuries. (ESPN)
The team was also dealing with an unusual travel situation after its scheduled game at Memphis had been postponed because of a winter storm.
Those circumstances do not erase Denver’s statistical mistakes, but they provide useful context for understanding the performance.
The Most Important Individual Matchups
Cunningham vs. Murray
This was the clearest offensive playmaking matchup.
Cunningham finished with 22 points and 11 assists.
Murray had 24 points and 10 assists.
Murray scored two more points, but Cunningham’s zero turnovers gave him an important efficiency advantage as a primary creator.
Duren vs. Valanciunas
Valanciunas won the rebounding battle decisively on an individual level with 16 rebounds.
Duren finished with 8.
However, Duren’s 14 points and Detroit’s overall interior scoring helped the Pistons maintain their offensive advantage near the basket.
Harris vs. Denver’s Frontcourt
Harris was highly efficient, making 10 of 15 shots.
His 22 points tied Cunningham for Detroit’s team scoring lead.
His late free throws then provided the finishing touch.
Advanced Takeaways From the Box Score
The basic statistics already tell a compelling story, but a few additional observations make the result even clearer.
Detroit Won the Possession Battle
The Pistons attempted 94 field goals.
Denver attempted 84.
That 10-shot advantage is difficult to overcome in a two-point game.
Turnovers played a major role in creating that difference.
Denver Won Efficiency but Lost Volume
Denver’s 48% field-goal percentage was slightly better than Detroit’s 47%.
Its three-point percentage was also dramatically better.
But Detroit generated more total attempts and more paint scoring.
This is a classic example of efficiency not always translating directly into victory.
Detroit’s Defense Created Pressure
Ten steals and only six turnovers committed show a team that was active without being careless.
That balance was crucial.
Denver’s Rim Protection Was Strong
Nine blocks is an impressive number.
The Nuggets clearly made it difficult for Detroit to finish certain attempts around the basket.
Yet Detroit continued to generate enough paint offense to finish with 64 points inside.
What the Result Meant for the Season Series
Detroit took a 1-0 lead in the season series with the 109-107 victory.
The next meeting was scheduled for February 4, 2026. In that game, Denver and Detroit produced another close contest, with Detroit winning 124-121 according to ESPN’s season-series record. (ESPN)
That second result meant the Pistons ultimately held a 2-0 advantage in the season series.
The first meeting was therefore not an isolated result. Detroit demonstrated that it could compete successfully against Denver in both teams’ later matchup as well.
What Fans Should Look For When Reading Player Stats
A box score should not be treated as a list of isolated numbers.
For example, a player scoring 20 points does not automatically mean he had a better offensive game than another player who scored 18.
Context matters.
When evaluating this matchup, the most useful questions are:
- How efficiently did the player score?
- How many possessions did he control?
- Did he create shots for teammates?
- Did he protect the ball?
- Did he contribute defensively?
- Did his team perform better while he was on the floor?
- Did his production come during important stretches?
Using that framework makes Cunningham’s 22-point, 11-assist, zero-turnover performance particularly valuable.
It also highlights why Valanciunas’ 16 points and 16 rebounds were significant even though Denver lost.
Where to Find the Official Box Score
For readers who want to verify the numbers, the ESPN box score provides the complete player-by-player statistics, team totals, shooting splits and plus/minus information for Game ID 401810523. (ESPN)
This is the recommended source for checking individual minutes, field-goal attempts, three-point attempts, free throws, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and turnovers.
Internal Linking Suggestions
For a sports statistics website, this article can naturally link internally to related content such as:
- A Detroit Pistons player stats breakdown for the 2025-26 season
- A Denver Nuggets player stats breakdown for the 2025-26 season
- A Cade Cunningham game-by-game statistics article
- A Jamal Murray performance analysis
- A Detroit Pistons vs Denver Nuggets head-to-head history page
These links should be placed where they genuinely help the reader rather than being added simply to increase the number of internal links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who scored the most points for the Pistons?
Tobias Harris and Cade Cunningham each scored 22 points for Detroit. Harris shot 10-of-15 from the field, while Cunningham added 11 assists.
Who led the Nuggets in scoring?
Jamal Murray led Denver with 24 points. He also recorded 10 assists and 5 rebounds.
Who had the most rebounds in the game?
Jonas Valanciunas led all players with 16 rebounds for Denver. He also scored 16 points.
What was the final score between Detroit and Denver?
The Detroit Pistons defeated the Denver Nuggets 109-107 at Ball Arena.
Which team shot better from three-point range?
Denver shot better from three. The Nuggets made 10 of 29 attempts for 34%, while Detroit made 6 of 31 for 19%.
Why did Detroit win despite shooting poorly from three?
Detroit compensated with strong interior scoring, better ball security, more steals and a strong free-throw percentage. The Pistons scored 64 points in the paint and committed only 6 turnovers.
Conclusion
The denver nuggets vs detroit pistons match player stats reveal a game in which Detroit won through balance, control and execution rather than superior perimeter shooting.
Tobias Harris and Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 22 points apiece, while Cunningham added 11 assists without committing a turnover. Jalen Duren supplied efficient interior scoring, Ausar Thompson created defensive pressure with five steals, and Detroit’s bench contributed enough to support the starters.
Denver had its own outstanding performances. Jamal Murray produced 24 points and 10 assists, Jonas Valanciunas collected 16 rebounds, and Bruce Brown added 16 points from the bench. The Nuggets also shot better overall, made more three-pointers, won the rebounding battle and blocked nine shots.
The difference came from Detroit’s ability to create more field-goal attempts, attack the paint, force turnovers and protect its own possessions. The Pistons established an early advantage, absorbed Denver’s fourth-quarter comeback and executed well enough in the final seconds to win 109-107.
For anyone studying denver nuggets vs detroit pistons match player stats, the biggest lesson is that the final score cannot be explained by shooting percentage alone. Detroit’s 19% three-point shooting looked like a weakness, but its 64 points in the paint, 6 turnovers and 10 steals created a much stronger overall statistical profile.
The matchup ultimately became a clear example of how possession control, interior scoring, defensive disruption and late-game execution can outweigh a significant perimeter shooting advantage.
