Detroit Pistons point guard Reggie Jackson offered a unique perspective on the 82-game NBA season. Jackson told The Athletic's James L. Edwards III on April 11 “you play one game 82 times.”

‘It's an accumulation of the whole season,' Jackson said. ‘Game 82 through Game 73 shouldn't matter more than Games 1-15. I think the teams that understand that, value that the best, are usually the teams at the top (of the standings).

‘It's one game at a time. Everyone thinks you play 82 games, but you play one game 82 times.'

Long story short, Jackson is saying every game (every possession, for that matter) counts. Perennial title contenders such as the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets live and die with that philosophy.

It seems the improved Pistons are embracing that mindset as well. Prior to the 2018-19 NBA season, Detroit missed the playoffs nine times in 10 years.

The Pistons' 41-41 (.500) win-loss record was enough to secure the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference in 2018-19. They will square off against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks (60-22) in the first round of the playoffs.

Article Continues Below
More Detroit Pistons News
Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) shoots the ball while Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Pistons rumors: Myles Turner, Naz Reid on radar, but there’s a catchPreston Byers ·
Kristaps Porzingis photoshopped in Magic jersey. Include his jersey number.
Magic offseason trade proposal for Kristaps Porzingis as Celtics get finances in checkBailey Bassett ·
Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson (1) and Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson (9) on the court during the game at Toyota Center.
Ausar, Amen Thompson considering Jamaica in Olympics, FIBA moveRichard Pereira ·
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) celebrates after scoring in the third quarter against the New York Knicks during game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden.
Pistons’ Cade Cunningham eligible for $269 million deal after All-NBA selectionRichard Pereira ·
Cade Cunningham at LCA, NBA logo, with dollar sign emojis around
The $45 million reason Pistons’ Cade Cunningham is smiling after All-NBA selectionEric Vincent ·
Malik Beasley
Malik Beasley vacations with girlfriend amid Larsa Pippen admissionAutumn Hawkins ·

Jackson became just the third player in Pistons franchise history to record at least 32 points and eight assists with zero turnovers in a game last month (the other two were Joe Dumars and Chauncey Billups).

He told The Detroit Free Press' Vince Ellis he credits his confidence for his success on the court.

If you don't believe in yourself, then nobody else will. That's my belief. I'm finding my footing within the offense. My teammates are doing a great job of setting screens for me, getting me open.

I've just been a benefactor for everything they're doing, and I've also been a benefactor of health.

The 28-year-old Jackson averaged 15.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 82 games for Detroit in the 2018-19 NBA season.