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)

The economy, inflation and how those forces could impact the lives of Americans were front and center over the past week. Trips to the grocery store or gas station are more painful than they were last year, and that is impacting the decisions of both households and businesses.

Here’s a snapshot of prominent economic data and news that occurred over the past week and what it potentially means for you.

The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate climbed this week to its highest level in nearly nine months, driving up borrowing costs for homebuyers during what’s traditionally the housing market’s busiest time of the year.

The benchmark 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate rose to 6.51% from 6.36% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. Despite the sharp increase, the average rate remains below 6.86%, where it was a year ago.

Rates have been mostly trending higher since the war with Iran began. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has roiled energy markets, sending crude oil prices sharply higher — a key driver of inflation.

Expectations of higher oil prices and worries about big and growing debts for the U.S. government and others have pushed up long-term bond yields, causing mortgage rates to head higher.

U.S. retailers have spent months navigating an uncertain economic environment, from President Donald Trump’s tariffs to the impact of soaring gasoline prices due to the Iran war. The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline rose again this week, ending at about $4.55 per gallon on Friday, according to AAA. Gasoline prices are about 45% above where they were at this time last year.

Based on quarterly financial reports from Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Lowe’s and TJX, shoppers are cautious but still spending, helped by more generous tax refunds. Yet there is a widespread belief among economists that once those refunds dry up, shoppers will pull back on spending. Consumer spending is the dominant economic engine for the U.S., and retreat would have broad implications for the U.S.

Walmart issued a forecast for the current quarter on Thursday that was weaker than what Wall Street had been expecting. Target raised its annual revenue outlook on Wednesday, saying it expected momentum to continue the rest of the year. Yet the upgraded sales expectations were still below the pace of the first quarter.

Fewer Americans filed for jobless aid last week as layoffs remain low despite a number of uncertainties that continue to cloud the economy.

U.S. applications for unemployment benefits for the week ending May 16 fell by 3,000 to 209,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday. That’s fewer than the 213,000 new applications analysts surveyed by the data firm FactSet had forecast.

Weekly filings for unemployment benefits are considered a proxy for U.S. layoffs and are close to a real-time indicator of the health of the job market.

Despite historically low layoffs, the labor market appears to be stuck in what economists call a “low-hire, low-fire” state. That’s kept the unemployment rate low at 4.3%, but left many of those out of work struggling to find new employment.

The split between Wall Street and most U.S. households grew even wider Friday, as U.S. stocks rose toward the finish of an eighth straight winning week, their longest such streak since 2023. That’s even though a survey showed on the same day that U.S. consumers are feeling worse about the economy.

Shares of Workday and Zoom Communications rose after both delivered better profit reports for the latest quarter than analysts expected.

They’re the latest companies to top analysts’ expectations for profits for the start of 2026. And the cavalcade of such reports has helped U.S. stocks remain near their records. Stock prices tend to follow the path of corporate profits over the long term.

A hiring sign is displayed at a restaurant in Niles, Ill., Thursday, May 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Drones operated by Zipline leave base to make deliveries from a Walmart store in Pea Ridge, Ark., Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Options trader Anthony Spina works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Friday, May 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Trader Robert Arciero works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Friday, May 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)