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Blaring Horn Forces Long Delay at Little Caesars Arena as Pistons Edge Cavaliers in OT

A power surge disabled the overhead scoreboard, prompting crews to cut power and rely on a handheld horn to complete the game.

Overview

  • Play stopped with 7:24 left in the third quarter when the arena horn stuck on and made normal officiating and communication impossible.
  • Reports varied on the length of the stoppage, with most placing it around 12–13 minutes and some citing up to 18 minutes before play resumed.
  • ESPN’s broadcast described a complete electrical malfunction as clocks and scores went out, interrupting a live interview with Donovan Mitchell.
  • Arena staff shut down the overhead scoreboard to silence the horn, officials used a manual air horn for signals, and the board later flickered back on.
  • Detroit won 122-119 in overtime behind Jalen Duren’s 33 points and 16 rebounds, with Cleveland short-handed without Donovan Mitchell and James Harden; the game lasted 3 hours, 22 minutes.