The Detroit Pistons' magical run through November came to a dramatic conclusion Wednesday night at TD Garden, where the Boston Celtics held on for a 117-114 victory to snap Detroit's franchise record-tying 13-game winning streak.

Cade Cunningham delivered one of the finest performances of his young career, pouring in 42 points on 12-of-26 shooting from the field, including 4-of-9 from beyond the arc. The fourth-year guard was nearly perfect from the free-throw line, converting 14 of 16 attempts while adding eight rebounds and five assists to his stat line. However, it was a missed free throw in the closing seconds that ultimately sealed the Pistons' fate and ended their historic run.

For Boston, Jaylen Brown rose to the occasion with a stellar double-double performance, finishing with 33 points and 10 rebounds to help the defending champions weather Detroit's furious effort. Derrick White provided crucial contributions as the Celtics improved their home record and handed the Pistons their first loss since early November.

The streak had captured the imagination of basketball fans across the nation, particularly given the remarkable nature of Detroit's turnaround. Just two seasons ago, the Pistons stumbled to one of the worst starts in NBA history, beginning the year 3-36 and finishing with only 14 total wins. Now, despite the loss, they sit atop the Eastern Conference with a stunning 15-3 record, including an impressive 7-2 mark on the road.

The 13-game winning streak tied the franchise record set by two of the most celebrated teams in Pistons history, the 1990 and 2004 championship squads that brought Larry O'Brien trophies back to Detroit. To be mentioned alongside those legendary rosters speaks volumes about what this young core has accomplished in such a short time.

Cunningham, who has emerged as one of the premier young talents in the league, reflected on the significance of matching such illustrious company. The significance of making history for such a storied franchise is not lost on him or his teammates, even as they process the disappointment of falling just short of setting a new record.

The Pistons now turn their attention to Friday's crucial matchup against the Orlando Magic at home, where the winner will claim their NBA Cup group. A victory would give Detroit a chance to secure the top overall seed in the tournament, providing yet another opportunity for this surprising squad to continue writing new chapters in franchise history.

While the streak has ended, the statement has been made. The Detroit Pistons are legitimate contenders in the Eastern Conference, and teams around the league have taken notice. Under the leadership of Cunningham and a supporting cast that has exceeded all expectations, Motor City has become one of the NBA's most compelling stories of the 2025-26 season.

The transformation from laughingstock to league leader represents one of the most dramatic turnarounds in recent memory, and Pistons fans have every reason to believe this is only the beginning of something special in Detroit.