BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 26: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons dunks and scores against the Boston Celtics during the first half at the TD Garden on November 26, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
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With every NBA season there are always teams who are trying to break into the next level. Some teams succeed with the improvement they set out to achieve, whether it be through internal development, or moves made over the off-season. This season there have been plenty of teams who have performed beyond what their expectations were before the season.
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons looked to improve upon their playoff berth from last season and this year, things have gone better than anyone could have imagined. Detroit currently sits at a record of 15-3 which is good for first in the eastern conference. They are led by Cade Cunningham who’s building upon his All-Star season from last year. Cunningham is posting averages of 27.1 points per game and 9.6 assists per game this season and his offensive brilliance has been key in Detroit’s wonderful start. Cunningham’s on ball scoring and playmaking ability have empowered Detroit’s offense immensely, his mid-range scoring in particular is very strong.
This has been a breakout season for Pistons center Jalen Duren. Duren had always shown promise in past seasons, but this season he has truly taken his game to another level. This year Duren is averaging 20.3 points per game, and 11.5 points per game while shooting 67 percent from the field. Duren is currently at a career-high usage percentage of 23 percent, and his true-shooting percentage is 71 percent as well. Duren is a fearsome inside scorer, whose strength and athleticism have made him a nightmare paint scoring threat. Duren has looked stronger driving with the ball in his hands as well, and he has provided Detroit with a bit of extra creation this season.
What’s shocking about Detroit is that they didn’t make any blockbuster moves over the off-season, and on paper it does not seem like they have the best team in the east. For them to have won 15 games out of 18 games is a testament to strong coaching, and some really stellar play from their roster top to bottom.
Toronto Raptors
During last season’s trade deadline the Toronto Raptors traded for Brandon Ingram in an effort to bolster their roster and make their return to the playoffs. Ingram had been in and out of the lineup for New Orleans during his last couple seasons there, and he didn’t play a single game during last season after the trade either. This season though, Ingram has been a revelation for Toronto and one of the main reasons they sit at the second seed in the eastern conference with a record of 14-5.
Toronto has won 13 out of their last 14 games, and they are currently on a nine-game winning streak and it’s been their entire team that has aided in this. Scottie Barnes, and RJ Barrett in particular have been playing well, Barnes being a defensive menace and Barrett being a swiss-army knife offensively as well.
The shocking part about Toronto is that they did not have a hot start, winning only 2 out of their first 6 games. This team seemingly flipped a switch on the defensive end while their offense continued to be great and now they find themselves amongst the top of the eastern conference.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikaibruce/2025/11/26/who-have-been-the-most-surprising-teams-of-the-2025-26-nba-season/
