NBA news: Pistons-Cavaliers game delayed due to lengthy horn malfunction
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The Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers had to deal with a very loud disruption during the Pistons’ 122-119 overtime victory at Little Caesars Arena on Friday.
During the timeout, when the Pistons were leading 65-64, the horn honked, signaling that the teams should return to the game. However, the horn sounded for 13 minutes, delaying the game.
The horn sounded after a power surge, causing the overhead scoreboard to malfunction. The horns finally stopped as the arena crew turned off the scoreboard and the crowd cheered.
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (left) talks with teammate James Harden during a second-half timeout against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on February 27, 2026. (Lon Horwedel/Imagn Images)
While the horn was malfunctioning, the scoreboard and clock on the baskets were reset. The game restarted after 18 minutes. The scoring crew used a manual air horn when play restarted and the overhead scoreboard was black.
Officials brought Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff and Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson to midcourt for a brief discussion before announcing that the game would continue without the main scoreboard. However, a few minutes after the match restarted, the scoreboard reopened.
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson argues with a referee during the first half of a game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on February 27, 2026. (Lon Horwedel/Imagn Images)
Due to delays and extra time, the match lasted 3 hours and 22 minutes.
Cleveland, which will host Detroit on Tuesday night, was up by nine points with 2:44 left in regulation when Cade Cunningham fouled out with 1:56 left in the game. However, the Pistons defeated the Cavaliers 16-7 in overtime.
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Detroit Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff instructs his team during the second half of the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on February 27, 2026 in Detroit. (Duane Burleson/AP Photo)
For East leader Detroit, Cunningham played with 25 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists before fouling out. Jalen Düren played with 33 points and 16 rebounds in the victory for the Pistons.
Jarrett Allen played with 25 points and 9 rebounds in Cleveland, which played its second consecutive game without James Harden (thumb) and Donovan Mitchell (groin). Evan Mobley had 23 points and 12 rebounds, and Sam Merrill had 20 points.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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