Pistons complete historic turnaround from 14-win season by securing playoff berth

TORONTO (AP) — One year after finishing with the worst record in the NBA, the Detroit Pistons are going to the playoffs for the first time since 2018-19.

The Pistons punched their postseason ticket with a 117-105 victory over Toronto on Friday night.

No NBA team has ever gone from a worse record than Detroit’s 14 wins last season to earning a playoff berth the following year.

“It’s a big deal,” first-year Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “We typically don’t take time to reflect on where we are but this is an opportunity for this group to reflect on where it is, where it’s come from and what it’s been able to accomplish together. To turn it around the way they have and put themselves in this position to play in the postseason, it’s a big deal.”

Detroit’s Jalen Duren, who had 21 points and 18 rebounds Friday, said it felt good to reach the playoffs after not winning more than 17 games in either of his first two NBA seasons. Detroit is 43-34 with five games remaining.

“People doubted us,” Duren said. “They didn’t believe. They thought it would take longer for us to turn this thing around but we’re here.

“We’re not done yet. We’re going to take a moment to enjoy what we’ve accomplished, but it’s only milestones. The real goal, obviously, is to bring championships back to our city.”

The Pistons finished eighth in the Eastern Conference and were swept by Milwaukee in the first round of the 2019 playoffs. Before that, Detroit’s previous two playoff appearances were also eighth-place finishes and first round sweeps, both to Cleveland, in 2016 and 2009.

The Pistons haven’t won a playoff series since finishing second in the East in 2007-08, winning series over Philadelphia and Orlando before losing to Boston in the conference finals.

Duren said the Pistons won’t be satisfied with simply reaching the playoffs.

“We’re happy, but everybody’s mindset is that this isn’t the championship,” Duren said. “We haven’t done anything yet.”

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Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley (5) shoots between Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (19) and Jonathan Mogbo (2) during first-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Friday, April 4, 2025. (Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press via AP)

Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson (9) jumps with the ball as Toronto Raptors guard A.J. Lawson (0) defends during second-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Friday, April 4, 2025. (Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press via AP)

Detroit Pistons guard Dennis Schroder (17) drives past Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley (5) during second-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Friday, April 4, 2025. (Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press via AP)

Detroit Pistons forward Paul Reed (7) goes up to score as Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead (23) defends during second-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Friday, April 4, 2025. (Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press via AP)

Detroit Pistons forward Tim Hardaway Jr. (8) prepares to shoot as Toronto Raptors forward Jamison Battle (77) watches during second-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Friday, April 4, 2025. (Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press via AP)

Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) drives past Toronto Raptors center Orlando Robinson (21) during second-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Friday, April 4, 2025. (Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press via AP)

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (AP) — Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu was charged with treason Thursday following his arrest at a public rally in which he called for electoral reforms ahead of planned general elections in October.

Lissu, chairperson of the main opposition party CHADEMA, was arrested on Wednesday night over what regional police called incitement. The opposition in Tanzania has been calling for electoral reforms to ensure the upcoming poll is free and fair.

Lissu on Thursday afternoon arrived at the Kisutu magistrate's court in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam appearing in high spirits and in the company of his lawyers and opposition party politicians.

The opposition leader was forced into a police vehicle late Wednesday after he had just finished addressing a public rally in Mbinga, south of the country more than 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) from Dar es Salaam.

“I came here, we held a peaceful meeting, and now I understand the tactics of the police. We are now clear on the situation; I will not enter the vehicle. There is no need for that. We will sleep here. What is the problem?” Lissu asked the police, moments before his supporters were teargassed.

Human rights activists have accused the government of President Samia Suluhu Hassan of heavy-handed tactics against the opposition. The government denies the claims.

In 2017, three years before the last election, Lissu survived an assassination attempt after being shot 16 times.

Tanzania is set to elect the president and members of parliament in the October elections. CHADEMA has been critical of the absence of an independent electoral commission and laws that favor the ruling party, CCM, which has been in power since Tanzania’s independence in 1961.

FILE - Exiled Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu gives an interview to The Associated Press in Tienen, Belgium on Friday, March 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)