Thunder conclude defeat against Pistons with leading six scorers sidelined due to injury.
DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons encountered a diminished version of the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday evening in what could be seen as a potential NBA Finals matchup.
By the conclusion of the game, with the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit securing a 124-116 victory, the Thunder were missing their top six scorers.
“We certainly faced some challenges out there tonight,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault remarked. “I thought the players who participated put forth a commendable effort to persevere.”
Oklahoma City commenced the contest without its four leading scorers — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen), Jalen Williams (hamstring), Ajay Mitchell (abdomen), and Chet Holmgren (back) — along with sixth-leading scorer Isaiah Hartenstein (calf).
The only member of the top six who participated was Isaiah Joe, who averages 11.0 points, and the only regular starter was Lu Dort.
With those two and several rotation players, the Thunder held a 34-22 advantage after the first quarter, but the Pistons outscored them 36-18 in the second — marking the largest margin Oklahoma City has experienced in any quarter this season.
The situation worsened after halftime, as Joe (hip) and two-way center Branden Carlson (back) were unable to continue.
Detroit was ahead 92-75 late in the third quarter.
“The game slipped away from us a bit in the third, and it appeared it might turn into a blowout,” Daigneault noted. “However, our players did an excellent job of rallying back.”
Oklahoma City narrowed the gap to three points in the fourth quarter but struggled to keep the Pistons off the boards.
The standout performer for Oklahoma City was center Jaylin Williams, who scored 14 of his career-high 30 points in the fourth quarter.
“He displayed remarkable toughness and, of course, impressive offensive skills,” Daigneault stated. “We really centered our play around him, and against a team that applies pressure like Detroit, he was a significant asset for us.”
