Jaden Ivey contributed significantly with 28 points, while Malik Beasley added 26 points for the Pistons. This marked Cunningham’s fourth triple-double of the season, placing him two behind the league leader, Nikola Jokic.
The Wizards suffered their eighth consecutive loss, returning home after enduring a five-game road trip. Both Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma scored 22 points each for Washington.
Detroit showcased strong defense, limiting the Wizards to just 18 points in the first quarter and establishing a 65-53 lead by halftime. The Pistons maintained control throughout, embarking on a 12-3 run to extend their lead to 85-64 following a dunk from Jalen Duren.
Wizards center Alex Sarr, selected as the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft, struggled offensively, managing only four points on 1-of-7 shooting.
Takeaways indicate the Pistons and Wizards were both at the bottom of the league standings last year, but despite Washington receiving a higher draft pick, it is Detroit that appears further along in their rebuilding efforts. After a tough start with four losses, the Pistons (7-8) have shown resilience and are now just one game away from reaching a .500 record.
Conversely, the Wizards may find themselves on a prolonged losing streak as they face tough opponents in their upcoming games against New York and Boston. Although Washington shot reasonably well from beyond the arc (12 of 27), their sluggish start in the first quarter proved too great to overcome.
A critical moment emerged in the second quarter when Washington began to find their offensive rhythm, reducing the deficit to 52-47 after Bilal Coulibaly’s dunk. However, Beasley struck back with a timely 3-pointer, ensuring the game remained firmly in Detroit’s control.
A key statistic for the game showcased Washington’s struggles, as they committed 17 turnovers compared to Detroit’s nine. As a result, the Pistons capitalized heavily on points off turnovers, leading 27-11 in that category.
Looking ahead, both teams are scheduled to compete again on Monday night, with Detroit set to host the Chicago Bulls, while Washington will take on New York on the road.