March 23, 2026, 5:07 a.m. ET
The Detroit Pistons clinched a playoff spot three days ago, and now welcome in one of the NBA’s hottest teams with two of the greatest players in the sport’s history.
Luka Dončić and LeBron James are in Detroit as the Los Angeles Lakers continue their six-game road trip, fresh off a Luke Kennard buzzer-beating 3-pointer Saturday to stun Orlando.
This could be James’ final time suiting up in Detroit, as the 41-year-old’s future as a free agent is unknown. He’s averaging 21.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6.8 assists in his 23rd NBA season, but in recent weeks has become more of a complementary player to Dončić, who leads the league at 33.4 points per game, and has games of 51 and 60 points over the past two weeks.
The Lakers have won nine in a row, four straight on the road (Houston twice, Miami, Orlando), to rise to third in the Western Conference playoff standings.
The Lakers catch a break with Cade Cunningham’s collapsed lung injury suffered last week in Washington. Daniss Jenkins, the former two-way player, will start once again at point guard. All-Star center Jalen Duren has been dominant in 16 games since returning from a two-game suspension, averaging 23.4 points on 66.5% shooting with 10.9 rebounds. The Pistons are also down standout backup Isaiah Stewart (calf).
[ Cade Cunningham has collapsed lung; a doctor explains what that means ]
The Pistons won in LA on Dec. 30, 128-106, led by Cunningham’s 27 points and 11 assists. Austin Reaves did not play for LA.
Here’s how and what to watch for in tonight’s Pistons vs. Lakers game, including the TV channel, streaming link, the lineups, injury report and betting odds.
Pistons vs Lakers game time
- Matchup: Pistons (51-19) vs. Lakers (46-25).
- Date: Monday, March 23.
- Time: 7 p.m. ET.
- Location: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
- Box score.
Pistons vs Lakers channel
Pistons injury report vs Lakers
Updates only on players on the 15-man roster.
- OUT: Cade Cunningham, Isaiah Stewart, Marcus Sasser, Bobi Klintman.
[ Jeff Daniels and Peyton Manning tried to lift Lions curse. They hexed all our teams instead ]
Lakers injury report vs Pistons
Updates only on players on the 15-man roster.
- QUESTIONABLE: Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, Maxi Kleber.
Pistons vs Lakers starting lineups today
Here’s the projected Pistons-Lakers starting lineups:
- Pistons: Daniss Jenkins (PG), Duncan Robinson (G/F), Ausar Thompson (F), Tobias Harris (PF), Jalen Duren (C).
- Lakers: Luka Dončić (PG), Marcus Smart (G), Austin Reaves (G), LeBron James (F), Deandre Ayton (C).
Off the bench for the Pistons: Caris LeVert (G/F), Javonte Green (G/F), Kevin Huerter (G/F), Ron Holland II (F), Paul Reed (C).
Off the bench for the Lakers: Luke Kennard (G/F), Jake LaRavia (F), Rui Hachimura (F), Jaxson Hayes (C).
Pistons vs Lakers odds
- Spread: TBA.
- Total: TBA.
- Moneyline: Lakers TBA, Pistons TBA.
Pistons schedule, upcoming games
Full Pistons 82-game schedule for the 2025-26 regular season. Here are the next five games after the Lakers:
- Wednesday, March 25: vs. Atlanta Hawks
- Thursday, March 26: vs. New Orleans Pelicans
- Saturday, March 28: at Minnesota Timberwolves
- Monday, March 30: at Oklahoma City Thunder
- Tuesday, March 31: vs. Toronto Raptors