It’s do or die time for the Detroit Pistons – still.
The Pistons were able to stave off elimination with a gutsy win at home in Game 5 over the Magic to earn the opportunity to keep playing in the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
They’ll need two more wins to advance to the second round for the first time since 2008, starting with Game 6 against the Magic at Kia Center in Orlando on Friday, May 1.
The game is not available on traditional cable and can only be watched on Amazon Prime Video.
Watch the NBA playoffs on Prime Video
The Pistons would force a Game 7 at home on Sunday with a win in Game 6, while the Magic would move on to the Eastern Conference Semifinals with just one more win.
All eyes will be on young stars Paolo Banchero for the Magic and Cade Cunningham for the Pistons after their epic Game 5 duel. Banchero had a playoff career-high in scoring and almost brought the Magic back with a spectacular fourth-quarter flurry in Game 5, but Cunningham was arguably even better, hitting key shots down the stretch to seal the Game 5 win. Both players had 45 points.
If the Pistons pull off the comeback, they would become just the 14th team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 playoff deficit. The franchise has already done it once before in 2003, as the 1-seed beating the 8-seed Magic, ironically.
The Pistons would also make another kind of history if they lose, and not the kind they want. They would become just the seventh 1-seed in NBA playoff history to lose a first-round playoff series to an 8-seed, and just the third as a 60-win team in a best-of-seven series.
Shop Pistons tickets for potential Game 7
The good news for the Pistons is Magic forward Franz Wagner remains out with a calf injury, something we saw really help Cunningham in Game 5 as Wagner has often been the primary defender on him and done a good job.
Here’s everything you need to know for Pistons-Magic Game 6, including the injury report, starting lineups, betting odds and more.
Pistons vs Magic Game 6 live updates
This section will be updated when the game begins.
Pistons vs Magic Game 6 announcers
Game 6 between the Pistons and Magic will be shown exclusively on Amazon’s Prime Video streaming service, with play-by-play announcer Kevin Harlan and color analyst Jim Jackson leading the broadcast.
Tarik Skubal showing love
Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal is not attending the Pistons game, as the Tigers are starting a three-game weekend series against the Texas Rangers at Comerica Park tonight. But he’s with the Pistons in spirit, per the Tigers social media account.
Tobias Harris injury update
Pistons forward Tobias Harris, who is still listed as questionable with an ankle injury, participated in shootaround earlier today.
Do the Pistons play today?
Yes, they face the Magic in Orlando on Friday night.
When is Pistons next game?
The Pistons-Magic Game 6 matchup is set for Friday, May 1, at Kia Center in Orlando. If the Pistons win, they’ll play again in Game 7 in Detroit on Sunday.
Pistons vs Magic time in Game 6
Pistons vs Magic channel in Game 6
Watch Pistons-Magic Game 6 on Prime Video
Pistons vs Magic odds for Game 6
The Pistons are a small favorite for Game 6 at Orlando:
Odds provided by BetMGM as of Friday afternoon.
Pistons injury report vs Magic in Game 6
Updates from the official NBA injury report.
Is Franz Wagner playing for Magic in Game 6 vs Pistons? Injury report
No. The former Michigan star and current Magic forward missed Game 5 and will miss Game 6 as well with a calf injury.
Pistons vs Magic starting lineups today
Here’s the likely starting lineups for Game 6 of Magic vs. Pistons:
Pistons vs Magic uniforms for Game 6
The Pistons are sticking with their traditional white uniforms for the sixth straight game, while the Magic are going back to their “Statement Edition” uniforms – black with white pinstripes and “Magic” across the chest. Here’s the reason why the Pistons have worn white in every game of the series.
Pistons playoff schedule vs Magic series
Here’s the Pistons-Magic schedule for the playoff series in the first round:
Who will Pistons-Magic winner play in next round?
The NBA does not re-seed after the first round of the playoffs, meaning the winner of the 1-8 series (Pistons-Magic) will face the winner of the 4-5 series between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Cavs lead, 3-2, with Game 6 on Friday night in Toronto. The home team has won every game thus far.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Pistons vs Magic Game 6 TV channel, game time, live updates, injuries
Reporting by Andrew Birkle and Christian Romo, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
