Kevin Huerter keeps finding ways to matter for the Pistons, even on a night when the box score barely flinched.
Detroit’s win over the Charlotte Hornets was the kind of game where offense came in scraps. Both teams finished below 100 points in a contest that felt more like a throwback than a modern NBA game, and the first half in particular was full of missed looks. Still, the Pistons managed to keep the ball moving, with four players recording at least three assists.
Huerter was one of them, finishing with three assists in only 19 minutes. He only scored three points, but that was part of the point: he can influence the offense without having to pile up shots.
His impact was especially noticeable while Cade Cunningham sat and Detroit struggled to generate much offense. Huerter kept darting around screens and knocked down an early movement 3-ball from the top of the key, which looks like a favorite spot for him.
From there, he spent plenty of time as a moving target, continuing to cut hard and pull defenders with him. That constant motion helped open space for Daniss Jenkins, who briefly took over the game.
Even when the shot isn’t there, Huerter still bends the floor. His movement creates gravity, and once he gets the ball, he can handle and pass under pressure.
Several times he caught it on the move and shifted the defense toward him, leaving weak-side cutters free. One second-half sequence showed it perfectly: Huerter drew the defense his way, then quickly flipped the ball to Ausar Thompson for a lob and dunk.
He may not be as sharp from deep as Duncan Robinson or Isaiah Joe, but he’s respected enough that defenses can’t ignore him. And when defenders chase him off his spot, he’s more dangerous off the dribble than a pure standstill shooter.
That’s part of why Huerter was on the floor deep into crunch time. He gives the Pistons more than just shooting; he brings defense, too, which Robinson does not. For Detroit, he’s looking more and more like a bench connector who can do a little of everything and help as a secondary attacker.
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