The Warriors desperately needed this win following two consecutive home losses, including a disappointing 16-point defeat to Miami and a staggering 30-point loss against Sacramento.
It was a challenging game, as Golden State had built an 18-point lead, but Detroit’s Malik Beasley narrowly missed a three-pointer at the buzzer that could have pushed the game into overtime.
Cade Cunningham was the standout for the Pistons, finishing with 32 points, eight assists, and six rebounds. Beasley managed to add 21 points despite struggling with his shooting, making only four of 14 from beyond the arc.
With this defeat, Detroit’s record fell to .500 after a streak where they had won five in a row and eight out of their last nine games.
Warriors’ coach Steve Kerr commented on the team’s previous lack of “competitive spirit,” particularly following his mother’s loss during the California wildfires, but he was pleased with their improved performance in Detroit.
The Warriors maintained their lead at the end of each quarter, executing vital plays on both offensive and defensive ends. Despite a strong start to the season at 12-3, they had struggled, losing 15 of their last 21 games prior to this matchup.
In this game, the contributions from teammates were crucial, especially since Steph Curry had a rough night, shooting only 5 of 21 and scoring 17 points. With Andrew Wiggins absent due to personal matters, other players stepped up: Trayce Jackson-Davis recorded 14 points and 10 rebounds, while both Dennis Schroder and Gui Santos added 13 points, and Lindy Waters contributed 11 points.
On Detroit’s side, Tobias Harris scored 13 points and Ron Holland added 11 in an effort to compensate for the absence of Jaden Ivey, who is sidelined with a broken leg.
A pivotal moment in the game saw Draymond Green engage in a brief confrontation with Holland, followed by an impactful dunk, a charge drawn against the rookie, and an assist to Hield for a crucial three-pointer that put the Warriors up 92-78 midway through the fourth quarter.
As the game concluded, one notable statistic emerged; Curry struggled significantly from three-point range, hitting only two of 14 attempts.
Looking ahead, the Warriors will face the Indiana Pacers on Friday night, while the Pistons are set to host the Toronto Raptors on Saturday.
