The league’s most surprising team collides with the retooled Dubs. Motor City’s miraculous turnaround meets the JImmy Butler-fueled Warriors revival.
Dub Nation, we knew the 2024-25 NBA calendar would inevitably produce something as diabolically timed as this: the Detroit Pistons — yes, those Pistons who barely escaped single-digit wins last season — strolling into Chase Center with legitimate playoff aspirations and a freshly-minted All-Star in Cade Cunningham. Just as the Warriors have found their rhythm with Jimmy Butler, the basketball gods serve up the NBA’s most compelling rags-to-riches story.
The Pistons arrive in the Bay with their heads held high, like a phoenix that somehow rose from the literal rock bottom of the NBA standings. After an abysmal 14-68 campaign that saw them fire Monty Williams, Detroit is suddenly challenging for home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Let that sink in. They’ve tripled last year’s win total with 20 games still to play.
Golden State Warriors vs Detroit Pistons
When: March 8th, 2024 | 5:30 PM PT
TV: NBC Sports Bay Area
Radio: 95.7 The Game
Brandin Podziemski is questionable tomorrow vs Pistons with lower back soreness. Jonathan Kuminga remains out to begin the homestand.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 8, 2025
At the center of this Motor City renaissance? Cunningham has emerged as a legitimate franchise cornerstone, averaging 25.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 9.4 assists — the kind of numbers that had Kendrick Perkins ranking him among the NBA’s elite point guards. The former #1 pick has mastered the art of the triple-double, snagging eight of them this season, trailing only Jokic and LeBron in that department.
But young Cade is about to enter Steph Curry’s house, where the elder statesman of sharpshooting has been putting together an MVP-caliber stretch that has analysts dusting off their 2015-16 comparison charts. Since Butler’s arrival, Curry has been a supernova, turning each away arena into his personal shooting gallery and leaving behind “Night Night” celebrations and MVP chants in Brooklyn.
I have to admit I didn’t think Steph had a run like this left in him. Just incredible stuff at his age.
— Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) March 7, 2025
The Warriors’ 10-2 record with Butler raises the inevitable question: can anyone stop this team when they’re clicking? The Dubs have somehow transformed from play-in hopefuls to genuine Western Conference threats faster than it takes Curry to release his jumper.
Adding intrigue is the lingering absence of Jonathan Kuminga, who remains sidelined with an ankle injury that’s kept him in street clothes for over a month. This means Jimmy Butler continues to absorb those minutes, creating a veteran-heavy rotation that’s been steamrolling opponents. The good news for Warriors fans is Kuminga’s return will only add another dimension to a team already showing championship-caliber signs.
When these teams met in Detroit before the All-Star break, Curry struggled on 5-of-21 shooting from the field. But a concerted team effort led the Dubs to a 107-104 victory. The Pistons will be hungry for revenge, especially as they fight to hold their position in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
J.B. Bickerstaff has emerged as a genuine Coach of the Year candidate for his role in Detroit’s remarkable turnaround, outfitting this team with a defensive identity that reflects his Cleveland days while maximizing Cunningham’s playmaking brilliance. Meanwhile, Ausar Thompson’s defensive havoc alongside floor-spacers like Malik Beasley (shooting an eye-popping 42.1% from deep on 9.5 attempts per game) has created the perfect environment for Cade to thrive.
For Golden State, this home stand represents a critical opportunity to continue climbing the Western Conference standings. With dates against contenders like Denver, Milwaukee, and New York looming, taking care of business against Detroit is imperative.
Tonight is essentially basketball’s version of ambition meeting experience — the upstart Pistons with their newfound swagger colliding with a Warriors team rediscovering their championship DNA. The lesson being taught at Chase Center might be something akin to “respect due, but rings earned.” Cunningham is entering Curry’s world tonight, where the 37-year-old is showing the young buck that age is nothing but a number when you’re still dropping 40 on the regular.
Chase Center will be rocking for this clash between the NBA’s biggest surprise and its most dangerous resurgence.