Cleveland Cavaliers Shock Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs Run Rampant Over Philadelphia 76ers

Last Updated:March 04, 2026, 09:55 IST

The Cleveland Cavaliers upset the Detroit Pistons 113-109 despite Donovan Mitchell's absence. Jaylon Tyson scored 22 points.

The Cleveland Cavaliers overcame the injury absence of star point guard Donovan Mitchell to bag a 113-109 upset against the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.

Jaylon Tyson scored 22 points, while James Harden and Evan Mobley each contributed 18 points, leading the Cavs to an impressive victory in front of their home fans.

In a hard-fought match, Cleveland took the lead early in the second quarter and a combination of dogged defence and consistent offence kept them in front for the rest of the match.

“It’s a good win, not perfect by any means, but we’ll take it," Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said afterwards.

Jalen Duren led Detroit’s scorers with 24 points, but it was a frustrating night for Pistons star Cade Cunningham, who was limited to just 10 points by Cleveland’s relentless defence.

“Just throw bodies at him, try to wear him down, contest everything, and try to keep him off the free-throw line," Atkinson said of Cleveland’s approach to Cunningham.

Despite the defeat, Detroit remained comfortably on top of the Eastern Conference with a 45-15 record, four and a half games clear of second-placed Boston. Cleveland improved to 39-24 and is fourth in the East.

Elsewhere on Tuesday, the San Antonio Spurs delivered another dazzling all-around performance on the road, demolishing the Philadelphia 76ers 131-91.

Sixers fans began leaving well before the end as San Antonio surged into a 49-point lead towards the end of the third quarter.

Eight San Antonio players finished in double figures, with Devin Vassell and Dylan Harper leading the scoring with 22 points each.

“It wasn’t any amazing individual performance, it was just team play," said San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama, who contributed 10 points.

“When we’re locked in, when we feel like this as a team, I think we’re the best team in the world," Wembanyama added.

The Oklahoma City Thunder maintained their grip on the Western Conference, defeating the Chicago Bulls 116-108 on the road.

The Thunder are three games clear of San Antonio at the top of the table.

In Minneapolis, Anthony Edwards’ 41 points helped the Minnesota Timberwolves overcome the Memphis Grizzlies 117-110, while in Toronto, the New York Knicks proved too strong for the Raptors in a 111-95 victory.

(With AFP Inputs)

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