The Detroit Pistons had something special planned, but now they’re taking a moment to reflect.
The Pistons announced that the planned 20th anniversary celebration for the 2006 WNBA champion Detroit Shock, originally scheduled for the March 7 game against the Brooklyn Nets at Little Caesars Arena, has been postponed following the passing of championship team member Kara Braxton on Saturday. A new date will be announced later in 2026.
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The change shifts the tone of what was meant to be a Women’s Empowerment Game honoring one of the most accomplished teams in Detroit basketball history. The 2006 Shock finished 23-11, the second-best record in the WNBA that season, and rallied from a 2-1 deficit in the WNBA Finals to defeat the Sacramento Monarchs in five games. It marked the franchise’s second title in four years and reinforced its status as a league power.
Braxton played a key role during her 10-year WNBA career. Drafted seventh overall by Detroit in 2005, the 6-foot-6 center-forward earned All-Rookie honors after averaging 6.9 points and 3 rebounds. She later helped the Shock capture championships in 2006 and 2008. She was part of a core known for toughness and interior presence.
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“It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of 2x WNBA Champion Kara Braxton,” the league said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and former teammates at this time.”
Braxton tragically lost her life in a car accident in Atlanta at the age of 43.
Phoenix Mercury forward Kara Braxton (45) reacts on the court against the Seattle Storm during the first half of a playoff game.Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
(Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports)
Her career extended beyond Detroit. She also played for the Tulsa Shock, Phoenix Mercury and New York Liberty before finishing in 2014. In college with the Georgia Bulldogs, she was namedSEC Freshman of the Year in 2002. Teammates and former organizations remembered her passion and physical style that defined the Shock’s identity under head coach and general manager Bill Laimbeer.
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The 2006 roster included WNBA Finals MVP Deanna Nolan, Hall of Famers Swin Cash and Katie Smith, three-time NBA champion Cheryl Ford and 2003 WNBA Finals MVP Ruth Riley. The team’s incredible resilience has become a cherished part of Detroit sports history, and they went on to clinch another championship in 2008.
The postponement also comes at a time of renewed optimism for women’s basketball in the city. The WNBA awarded Detroit an expansion franchise last June, with competition slated to begin in 2029 under an ownership group led by Tom and Holly Gores.
For now, the focus is remembrance. The celebration of the 2006 team will return. When it does, it will carry deeper meaning, honoring both a championship and a teammate whose legacy remains part of Detroit’s basketball history.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
