Los Angeles — LeBron James celebrated his 41st birthday in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform Tuesday night, but the milestone didn’t end with the result the NBA legend hoped for.
The Detroit Pistons — led by standout star Cade Cunningham — handed the Lakers a decisive 128–106 loss at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Cunningham Shines in Signature Performance
Pistons guard Cade Cunningham led all scorers with a polished outing, finishing with 27 points and 11 assists, showcasing his scoring efficiency and playmaking prowess against a tough Lakers defense.
Cunningham’s ability to dictate the offense and create for teammates was a major difference in the game.
Also contributing for Detroit:
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Marcus Sasser: 19 points (season high), adding shooting punch and energy.
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Isaiah Stewart: 15 points, anchoring Detroit’s inside presence.
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Jalen Duren: Double-digit production and physical play in the paint.
The Pistons shot a scorching 63.2% from the field, consistently attacking the rim and controlling the interior with 74 points in the paint — a clear mismatch against the Lakers’ front line.
Lakers’ Big Names Fight in Vain
James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and one of few players active at age 41, put together a respectable stat line with 17 points, three 3-pointers, four assists, and four rebounds in his 1,577th regular-season contest.
Luka Dončić also starred for the Lakers amid the loss, with 30 points and 11 assists, though turnovers and defensive lapses plagued the home team’s effort.
Beyond the stars:
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Jaxson Hayes added 13 points, but the Lakers struggled to stop Detroit’s balanced attack.
This setback marked Los Angeles’ fourth loss in five games, a skid the franchise hasn’t endured since last season’s playoff stretch.
Game Flow and Decisive Runs
The contest remained competitive early, with both teams trading baskets through the first half.
The Pistons carried a 70–65 lead at halftime, but Detroit began pulling away in the second half thanks to superior efficiency and physical defense.
A key 16–6 run spanning the third and fourth quarters turned a close game into a comfortable advantage, and Detroit continued to press its lead with relentless inside scoring and sharp shooting from beyond the arc.
Looking Ahead
With the win, the Pistons improved to 3–2 on their West Coast trip and regained momentum after a recent two-game slide.
They now prepare to host the Miami Heat in their next outing.
The Lakers, sitting with a 20–11 record, look to rebound when they host the Memphis Grizzlies — seeking to stop their recent slide and tighten their grip on a playoff positioning.
