Pistons tie NBA record for scoring balance in 142-115 win over Hawks

DETROIT (AP) — Isaiah Stewart scored 17 points to lead a balanced scoring attack as the Detroit Pistons beat the Atlanta Hawks 142-115 on Friday night.

Detroit, which has won five of six, had seven players in double figures and 12 with at least seven points, tying an NBA record held by the 2018-2019 Bucks and 2021-22 Spurs. Cade Cunningham had 15 points and seven assists.

Jalen Johnson recorded his third straight triple-double, finishing with 19 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. It was his fifth triple-double of the season, breaking Bill Bridges' franchise record from 1969-70, and the seventh of his career, tying Mookie Blaylock's team record.

Johnson also became the fifth NBA player to have 15 straight games with at least seven points, rebounds and assists, joining Oscar Robertson, Wilt Chamberlain, Nikola Jokic and Russell Westbrook.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 22 points for Atlanta, which has lost four of five.

The Pistons led 69-60 at the half, but the margin could have been much larger if not for Alexander-Walker's 20 points. Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff used 11 players in the opening two quarters, and 10 of them scored.

Detroit took control on both ends in the third quarter, outscoring the Hawks 35-19. The Pistons shot 58.3% (14 for 24) from the field and held Atlanta to 27.3% (6 for 22). Daniels, Johnson and Okongwu were the only Hawks players to score in the quarter — the rest of the team combined to go 0 for 9.

Hawks: Visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.

Pistons: Visit the Boston Celtics on Sunday.

AP NBA: https://www.apnews.com/hub/nba

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) goes to the basket against Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu, left, and guard Dyson Daniels, back right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) tries to get a shot off against Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Pistons forward Duncan Robinson, right, passes the ball past Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) drives against Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye (18) is defended by Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson (9) while going to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s president on Saturday warned neighboring Afghanistan’s Taliban government that it had “ crossed a red line ” by launching drone attacks on civilian areas in Pakistan and said the administration in Kabul has brought “grave consequences upon itself.”

The statement by Asif Ali Zardari was the latest in what has become the deadliest fighting yet between the two neighbors. The cross-border clashes, which erupted late last month, have shown no signs of abating despite efforts by China and Turkey to broker a ceasefire.

Pakistan said its forces intercepted the drones launched on Friday but that falling debris injured two children in the city of Quetta and two people elsewhere in the country.

On Friday, the Afghan Taliban government accused Pakistan of conducting airstrikes in Kabul, the country's capital, and other areas in eastern Afghanistan, saying at least six civilians were killed and 15 other were injured.

Hours later, Kabul claimed its air force responded by targeting military installations near Islamabad, Pakistan's capital, and in northwestern Pakistan.

Pakistan denied targeting civilians, saying its operations are focused on Pakistani Taliban militants and their support networks. Islamabad has referred to the conflict as an "open war” — adding to concerns among the international community about regional stability as the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has engulfed the Middle East and beyond.

Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that Pakistani aircraft also struck fuel depots belonging to the private airline Kam Air near the airport in the southern city of Kandahar, which he said supplies civilian and U.N. flights.

Pakistan accuses the Afghan Taliban government of harboring Pakistani militant groups — mainly the Pakistani Taliban — that cross the porous volatile border between the two countries to stage attacks against Pakistani forces and also of allying with its archrival, India. Kabul denies harboring militant groups.

On Friday, a roadside bomb targeting Pakistani police killed seven officers in the northwestern district of Lakki Mawat.

Zardari slammed the government in Kabul.

“While the Afghan terrorist regime seeks negotiations with our friendly countries, it crossed a red line by attempting to target our civilians," he said.

Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry said Saturday on X that its defense forces along the border in the eastern provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar captured a Pakistani post and killed 14 Pakistani soldiers. In Islamabad, Pakistan’s Information Ministry said the claim was baseless.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s spokesman, Mosharraf Zaidi, said the “Afghan Taliban are spending more time weaving fantasies" than they are getting rid of "terrorist organizations enjoying Afghan Taliban regime hospitality.”

He said on X that such propaganda would not force Pakistan to end its counterterrorism operations. “Only the end of terrorism from Afghan soil to Pakistan will,” he said.

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday urged for a peaceful resolution of the Afghanistan-Pakistan dispute, warning the use of force worsens tensions and threatens regional stability. His remarks were reported Saturday by China’s official Xinhua News Agency, which said Wang had spoken with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.

Wang said China’s special envoy is shuttling between the two countries in an effort to promote restraint and encourage a ceasefire. Muttaqi said Afghanistan seeks regional peace and does not want a military conflict, adding that dialogue remains the only solution and urging China to play a greater role.

A Qatari-mediated ceasefire in October briefly reduced tensions, but subsequent talks in Turkey failed to produce a lasting agreement.

Qahar reported from Kabul, Afghanistan. Associated Press writer Kanis Leung in Hong Kong contributed to this report.

Residents and Taliban police gather the remains of a projectile at the site of a strike in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, March 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Barackatullah Popal)

People attend the funeral prayers of police officers, killed in the roadside bomb explosion, outskirts of Lakki Marwat, a district in northwest Pakistan, Friday, March 13, 2026. (AP Photo/G.A. Marwat)

Residents inspect the site of a strike in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, March 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Barackatullah Popal)