Why Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores sent letter to fans ahead of playoffs

Detroit — It wasn't that long ago that Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores released a letter expressing his sadness over the team's lengthy, disappointing play, which had left the franchise in disarray amid a 28-game losing streak during the 2023-24 season.

On Tuesday morning, more than two years later, Gores released a letter to fans on the team's website, expressing his gratitude and excitement ahead of the Pistons' opening round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, which begins Sunday at Little Caesars Arena.

In a letter titled, "Thank You, Detroit — Let’s Keep Going," Gores writes:

"Dear Pistons fans,

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What we’re building here is a story for the ages. One of the great comeback stories in sports, and not just because of where we are today but because of how we got here. The Pistons clinched the top spot in the Eastern Conference and are headed to the playoffs. I couldn’t be prouder or more thankful.

We won 60 games this season for only the third time in franchise history. But this season has been about more than winning. It’s been about building something real, something that reflects who we are and what we stand for. What makes this season special is that it’s not just happening on the court. It’s happening across our entire Pistons family.

Our players. Our coaches. Our front office and staff. Our community. And especially you, our fans.

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) signs autographs for fans after the game. Detroit Pistons vs Oklahoma City Thunder at Little Caesars Arena on February 25, 2026, in Detroit, MI.

Your energy, your belief, and your support have lifted this team and reminded everyone how powerful Detroit Basketball can be. Along the way, there were doubters. There always are. But this team never lived by other people’s expectations. They showed up every day, put in the work, and believed in each other.

They may be young, but they’ve been through a lot together. Nothing has been handed to them. They’ve earned this. They’ve been forged through difficulty and came out stronger because of it. And we did it the right way: No shortcuts. No quick fixes. Just belief, patience, and work.

There were moments when others might have lost faith and moved away from the core. We didn’t. We stayed with it. We believed in those young men and they believed in us. Today, they are the cornerstone of this franchise. And what stands out most isn’t just their talent, it’s who they are as people. That’s what makes this special.

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As an organization, we’ve grown together. We’ve trusted each other. We’ve done things our way, refusing to let outside noise define us. Trajan and J.B. shared my belief in this team from the beginning. The progress has come quickly, but the mindset hasn’t changed.

I told the team recently that this isn’t a dream. This is real. And this story isn’t done. We have a lot more to do. The NBA Playoffs are the stage every team works for, and we’re excited for what’s in front of us. We know it won’t be easy. Nothing worth doing ever is. But we’re ready. Together. All of us.

Tom

coty.davis@detroitnews.com

@cotydavis_24

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores thanks fans ahead of NBA playoffs