Detroit — The Pistons entered the 2026 playoffs with championship hopes, but their dream of holding the Larry O’Brien Trophy ended in Sunday’s 125-97 Game 7 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers at Little Caesars Arena.
The Pistons became the eighth No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference to miss the NBA Finals since 2016. They also became the fifth top-seeded team to not reach the Eastern Conference Finals since 2021.
Many would view the early playoff elimination as a disappointment. Although it was a tough ending for Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon, he still viewed it as a successful year.
“It was a difficult ending, but it doesn’t take away from the amazing season this group had,” Langdon said Tuesday. “To go from 14 to 44 to 60 wins to first place in the East in three seasons; it was an amazing accomplishment. … I am proud of everybody in this organization.”
In his second season leading the franchise, the Pistons exceeded Langdon’s expectations for the second consecutive year. Coming into this season, Langdon’s sole expectation was to build upon the progress made in his first season. In Year 2, the Pistons catapulted to the top of the Eastern Conference in mid-November after a 13-game winning streak and never relinquished the No. 1 spot.
The Pistons posted the third-best record in franchise history with 60 wins. While Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, and Ausar Thompson received much of the recognition for the team’s success, it was the deep roster assembled by Langdon that played a crucial role. This roster included players like Javonte Green, Daniss Jenkins, and Paul Reed, who became central figures in the team’s success.
Langdon’s belief coincides with coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who refused to view their playoff shortcomings as disappointment.
“This team is awesome, and they’re a special group of guys. I couldn’t be more appreciative of how they allow us to coach them, work with them every single day,” Bickerstaff said. “The spirit they carry, their willingness to sacrifice; it’s a special group. Again, I can’t be more thankful than to be a part of this, to be able to work with these guys.”
This story will be updated.
coty.davis@detroitnews.com
@cotydavis_24
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Trajan Langdon: ‘Difficult ending’ doesn’t diminish progress Pistons made
Reporting by Coty M. Davis, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
