The Detroit Pistons will look to defeat the Wizards for the second time in three nights on Thursday when the teams reconvene in Washington, D.C.
The Pistons handed the woeful Wizards their 13th straight loss with a 130-117 decision Tuesday night.
Jalen Duren erupted for a career-high 36 points on 13-for-17 shooting from the floor for Detroit (49-19). He also had 12 rebounds for his 35th double-double of the season.
“He was dominant,” Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said of Duren. “They (the Wizards) were playing small, and we had the advantage in the paint. I thought he did a great job of taking advantage of it.”
Fellow All-Star Cade Cunningham exited Tuesday’s game in the first quarter with what the team said were back spasms. He came up worse for wear after going for a loose ball against Washington’s Tre Johnson.
On Thursday, the Pistons announced Cunningham has been diagnosed with a collapsed lung and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
The two-week window means Cunningham will sit out at least eight games for the team, which has 14 games remaining in the regular season.
Per an ESPN report, there is optimism that Cunningham will be back in time for the start of the playoffs, which begin on April 18.
Duren said he’s “fully” committed to whatever is needed in the absence of Cunningham, who boasts team-best averages in points (24.5) and assists (9.9).
“I’m willing to do whatever my team needs me to do,” Duren said, per FanDuel Sports Network Detroit. “But I think as a group, we’ve just got to come together. I don’t think it comes down to just one person, but if my name is called upon, like I said, I’m going to try to do whatever I can for my team.”
Prior to Tuesday’s game, the Pistons announced center Isaiah Stewart will be sidelined for at least a week with a Grade 1 left calf strain.
Stewart, who averages 10.0 points and 5.1 rebounds, sustained the injury last Friday in a win against the Memphis Grizzlies and did not play Sunday in a loss to the Toronto Raptors.
Daniss Jenkins stepped up in place of Cunningham on Tuesday, recording 15 points and seven assists off the bench.
Tobias Harris collected 12 points and six rebounds and Ron Holland II, Caris LeVert, and Paul Reed came off the bench to contribute double-digit scoring. Reed likely will see more playing time while spelling Duren, with the backup spot traditionally held by Stewart.
Bub Carrington scored 21 of his season-high 30 points in the fourth quarter for the Wizards (16-52). He made 12 of 16 shots from the floor and equaled his season high with six 3-pointers.
“(Carrington) continued to take the shots that were there for him. He had some good looks there in transition,” Washington head coach Brian Keefe said. “… Just being aggressive. He’s a good shooter off the catch, off the bounce. He’s a pretty elite guy for that. Just continue to be aggressive, and he was aggressive (on Tuesday).”
Rookie Will Riley scored 21 points, marking the seventh time in the last 12 games that he has topped 15 points.
Justin Champagnie had 18 points and a team-high nine rebounds and Jaden Hardy added 16 points for Washington.
–Field Level Media
