NBA: Pistons Topple Cavaliers in Overtime After Buzzer Meltdown

A power cut, a howling buzzer and three hours of chaos

Some games hinge on a single shot. This one hinged on… a busted buzzer.

In the third, with the Detroit Pistons up 65-64 on the Cleveland Cavaliers, a power surge blew the scoreboard. The buzzer stuck — a single, ear-splitting wail that never stopped.

Eighteen minutes dead. Scoreboard dark. They went to manual timing.

In total, 3h22 of game.

And out of the chaos came a 122-119 win for Detroit in overtime.

Jalen Duren, paint boss

Amid the noise and the mess, Jalen Duren put on a monster show.

33 points. 16 rebounds. Pure physical dominance. He owned the paint, bullied Cleveland on the offensive glass and finished through contact.

Beside him, Cade Cunningham finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists before fouling out. The East leader wobbled. Down nine with 2:44 left in regulation, the Pistons looked done.

Jalen Duren 33 PTS, 16 REB, 3 AST, 3 BLK, 11/19 FG, 11/15 FT, 0 TO, 64.5% TS vs Cavs

Cade Cunningham 25 PTS, 10 REB, 7 AST, 2 STL, 11/21 FG, 3/5 FT, 53.9% TS vs Cavs

Ausar Thompson 18 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 7/10 FG, 71.2% TS vs Cavs https://t.co/o7hPCkVPA1 pic.twitter.com/CEERpzc676

— Basketball Performances (@NBAPerformances) February 28, 2026

But they closed the fourth on a 16-7 run to force overtime.

Cleveland heroic despite the absences

No Donovan Mitchell.
No James Harden.

And still, the Cavs put up a hell of a fight.

Jarrett Allen finished with 25 points and 9 rebounds.
Evan Mobley added 23 points and 12 rebounds.
Sam Merrill hit 20.

With 4.7 seconds left in regulation, Cleveland led 114-111. A poor intentional foul. Daniss Jenkins got three free throws and made them. Game tied.

In overtime, Mobley had the ball to win. His buzzer three didn’t fall.

Detroit prove their status

This game could have flipped a dozen times. It could have vanished in the buzzer noise. It could have slipped away after Cunningham left the floor.

But the Pistons showed something extra. Resilience. Depth. Composure.

East leaders Detroit keep imposing their identity. Gritty. Patient. Team-first.

Cleveland get a rematch Tuesday at home.

And this time, here’s hoping the buzzer behaves.

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