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The Detroit Pistons will tip off their NBA Cup group play campaign on Friday night, taking on the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. This marks the first of four group play games for the Pistons, who are placed in East Group A alongside the Nets, Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, and Milwaukee Bucks.
After missing the knockout stage last season, the Pistons, again among the Eastern Conference's elite, are aiming for a deeper run this time around.
Pistons vs. Nets Preview
The Eastern Conference's top team will meet the conference's worst, as the Brooklyn Nets sit at 0-4 and are still in search of their first victory. The Nets' four losses have come against the Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, and Boston Celtics. Along with the Sacramento Kings (0-5), Brooklyn is one of two NBA teams yet to win this season.
The Nets' most recent outing was a 125-124 overtime loss to the Celtics on Tuesday, their closest call for a win this season. That near-upset at TD Garden is something Brooklyn hopes to build on as it tries to knock off Detroit on Friday night.
To upset the Pistons, the Nets will lean on their new duo of Julius Randle and Michael Porter Jr. Porter Jr., once considered a potential trade target for Detroit, has led Brooklyn this season with averages of 22.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assist per game. Randle, in his first season with the Nets after two years with the Minnesota Timberwolves, has already scored 20-plus points three times, including a season-high 33 points in the season-opening loss to the Charlotte Hornets. In the loss to Boston, Porter Jr. and Randle combined for 51 points.
For the Pistons, Cade Cunningham looks to carry momentum from his first 30-plus-point performance of the season in a recent 97-89 home win over the Charlotte Hornets. With Jalen Duren sidelined for at least two weeks due to a hamstring strain, several Pistons have stepped up, most notably Daniss Jenkins and Paul Reed. Both Jenkins and Reed, who have become key rotational pieces and have even started games, have scored in double figures in Detroit's last two games against the Hornets and Knicks. Jenkins, a former two-way player who emerged last season after splitting time between the G League Motor City Cruise and the Pistons, continues to grow as a key depth piece.
Can Reed and Jenkins continue their contributions as Detroit opens NBA Cup group play against the Nets? Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Last season, the Pistons went 3-1 against the Nets in their 2025-26 series. Brooklyn's lone win came on March 7 at Little Caesars Arena, a 107-105 decision.
Pistons NBA Cup Group Play Schedule
- Fri, Oct. 30: at Brooklyn Nets, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Fri, Nov. 20: vs. Toronto Raptors, 7:30 p.m. ET (Prime Video)
- Tue, Nov. 24: at Orlando Magic, 7 p.m. ET
- Fri, Nov. 27: vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 7:30 p.m. ET
Pistons vs. Nets Availability Report
Detroit Pistons
- Isaiah Joe (Hip) - Game-Time Decision
- Jalen Duren (Hamstring) - Out
Brooklyn Nets
- Egor Demin (Leg) - Out
- Tyler Bilodeau (Shoulder) - Out