The Pistons run over an injury-plagued Thunder team

The Detroit Pistons defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 124-116 on Wednesday night in a matchup that, under normal circumstances, could have been a preview of the NBA Finals. However, the reigning champion showed up with a severely depleted rotation and ended up paying the price. Great game from Cade Cunningham.

Oklahoma City started the game without their top four offensive references: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Ajay Mitchell, and Chet Holmgren, all out due to injury, in addition to the team's sixth-leading scorer, Isaiah Hartenstein. The only member of the top six available was Isaiah Joe, averaging 11.0 points, while Lu Dort was the only regular starter on the court.

Despite that scenario, the Thunder surprised early on and ended the first quarter with a lead (34-22). However, the momentum quickly dissipated. Detroit responded with a commanding 36-18 in the second period, the worst point differential conceded by Oklahoma City in a quarter so far this season, and turned the score around before halftime.

After the break, the situation became even more complicated for the visiting team. Joe, due to hip issues, and the two-way center Branden Carlson, with back problems, could not continue. With an even more reduced rotation, the Thunder saw the Pistons stretch the lead to 92-75 in the late stages of the third quarter.

"The game got away from us a bit in the third quarter, and it looked like it was going to break definitively," explained coach Mark Daigneault after the game. "But the guys did a great job of getting back into it."

And Oklahoma City did not give up. In the final period, they managed to get within three points, although they could not stop Detroit's dominance on the boards, a crucial factor for the Eastern Conference leader to secure the victory.

Jaylin Williams wasn't enough

Amidst the difficulties, the standout for the Thunder of the night was Jaylin Williams. The center delivered the best performance of his career with 30 points, 14 of them in the final quarter, taking on offensive responsibilities in an adverse context. "He showed a lot of toughness and obviously great offensive skills," noted Daigneault. "We flowed a lot through him, and against a team that pressures as much as Detroit, he was a great help."

With a competitive effort despite the absences, Oklahoma City stood their ground until the end, but Detroit capitalized on their depth and solidity to solidify their position at the top of the East.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Los Pistons pasan por encima de unos Thunder en cuadro