In a nail-biting showdown at Little Caesars Arena, the Detroit Pistons edged out the Washington Wizards 137-135 in overtime on Monday night, thanks to a career-defining performance from Cade Cunningham and a clutch shot from Daniss Jenkins. The game, part of a grueling back-to-back for Detroit, saw the Pistons rally from double-digit deficits despite missing six rotation players and Cunningham battling fatigue.
Cunningham, the Pistons' young star, unleashed a barrage unlike anything we've seen lately. He poured in a career-high 46 points on an astonishing 45 shot attempts, adding 12 rebounds, 11 assists, five steals, and two blocks to his ledger. This stat line put him in rare company, joining legends like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant for such an all-around explosion. Sure, his efficiency dipped with 31 misses—the most in a game since the '70s—but in a contest this chaotic, volume shooting was the path to victory.
Then there was Daniss Jenkins, the 24-year-old guard out of St. John's, stepping up big in limited minutes. With the clock ticking down in regulation, Jenkins drained a game-tying three-pointer at the buzzer, forcing overtime and igniting the home crowd. His poise under pressure highlighted the depth emerging in Detroit's roster this season.
The win boosts the Pistons' record amid their rebuilding push, while the Wizards, led by their own young guns, head into a tough stretch. As these Eastern Conference squads grind through early inconsistencies, one can't help but wonder how far raw talent alone can carry a team.
