The Detroit Pistons defeated the Charlotte Hornets 124-91 on Monday, November 2, 2026, at Spectrum Center, led by Cade Cunningham’s 33 points, seven assists and five steals. Detroit won every quarter and shot 57.3% from the field to improve to 6-1 with a convincing road victory.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter: Pistons Take a Narrow Lead
Detroit outscored Charlotte 27-24 in the opening period. The three-point margin made this the closest quarter of the game, with the Hornets remaining within reach before Detroit increased its scoring in the second.
Second Quarter: Detroit Builds an 11-Point Advantage
The Pistons delivered their highest-scoring quarter of the night, outscoring the Hornets 38-30. Detroit reached halftime ahead 65-54, turning a modest early advantage into a double-digit lead.
Third Quarter: Pistons Extend the Gap
Detroit followed its productive second quarter with a 33-21 advantage in the third. That stretched the lead to 98-75 entering the final period. Across the two middle quarters, the Pistons outscored Charlotte 71-51.
Fourth Quarter: Detroit Completes the Road Win
The Pistons maintained their advantage with a 26-16 fourth quarter, completing the 33-point victory in regulation. Charlotte scored just 37 points after halftime, compared with Detroit’s 59.
Key Performers
- Cade Cunningham, Pistons: Led all scorers with 33 points and added seven assists and five steals, providing the game’s standout individual performance.
- Ausar Thompson, Pistons: Led Detroit with six rebounds as the visitors won despite finishing behind Charlotte on the boards.
- Brandon Miller, Hornets: Paced Charlotte with 17 points and led the team with four assists.
- Moussa Diabate, Hornets: Contributed seven points, a game-high nine rebounds and three steals.
NerdSports Stat: Detroit made five more 3-pointers than Charlotte despite taking seven fewer attempts. That 15-point advantage from beyond the arc accounted for 45.5% of the final 33-point margin.
Game Analysis: Shooting Efficiency Separates the Teams
The clearest difference in this Pistons vs. Hornets matchup was shooting accuracy. Detroit made 47 of 82 field-goal attempts, while Charlotte finished 32 of 84. The Hornets took two more shots but made 15 fewer baskets.
Detroit’s perimeter efficiency added another advantage. The Pistons converted 18 of 37 attempts from 3-point range, shooting 48.6%, compared with Charlotte’s 13-for-44 performance, or 29.5%. Detroit was also efficient inside the arc, making 29 of 45 two-point attempts.
The Pistons finished with 30 assists to the Hornets’ 19, with Cunningham leading Detroit’s distribution. His five steals added another important contribution beyond his scoring.
Charlotte held a 44-37 rebounding advantage and made two more free throws, finishing 14 of 19 at the line against Detroit’s 12 of 15. Those edges were not enough to offset the difference in field-goal production. After scoring 54 points in the first half, the Hornets managed only 37 in the second.
What’s Next for the Pistons and Hornets?
Detroit improved to 6-1 overall and 4-1 on the road, strengthening its early-season position in the Eastern Conference. Charlotte fell to 3-5 overall and 2-3 at home. Both teams play again Wednesday, November 4: the Pistons face the Philadelphia 76ers at 4:00 p.m. PST, while the Hornets face the Brooklyn Nets at 4:30 p.m. PST.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Detroit Pistons defeated the Charlotte Hornets 124-91 on November 2, 2026.
Cade Cunningham scored 33 points. His individual shooting percentage was not provided in the available game statistics.
After the win, Detroit sits at 6-1 in the Eastern Conference.
Cade Cunningham was the standout performer with 33 points, seven assists and five steals.