The Detroit Pistons may have come up short in their bid to extend a four-game win streak, but if there’s one thing that stood out in their 111-104 loss to the Houston Rockets, it’s this: Ron Holland is arriving - and fast.
In just his second NBA season, Holland is carving out a reputation as a relentless two-way force, and Friday night was another showcase of his growing impact. While the Pistons’ starters struggled to find rhythm early, it was the second unit - led by Holland, Daniss Jenkins, Isaiah Stewart, Javonte Green, and Jaden Ivey - that turned the tide in the second quarter. Down eight, that group brought energy, edge, and execution, sparking a run that erased Houston’s lead and sent the game into halftime tied at 52.
What stood out wasn’t just the hustle - it was how methodical that second unit was in flipping the script. Holland was everywhere defensively, blocking shots and disrupting passing lanes, while Jenkins knocked down timely threes to keep the scoreboard moving.
It was the kind of bench performance that forces coaches to take notice - and J.B. Bickerstaff certainly did.
“They picked up the tempo, got out in transition, and generated stops,” Bickerstaff said postgame. “Everybody in that group contributed. They’ve been that for us all year long, and nothing changed tonight.”
That trust in the second unit - especially on the defensive end - has become a calling card for the Pistons this season. Early on, Isaiah Stewart set the tone with his rim protection and fearless approach in the paint.
But lately, it’s been Holland who’s taken the baton. His ability to create chaos defensively - whether it’s a deflection, a steal, or just making the kind of plays that don’t show up in the box score - has made him a defensive anchor for Detroit’s second group.
“It’s who Ron is,” Bickerstaff added. “He gives us that spark on both ends of the floor.
In transition, attacking the rim - he’s a problem. But it’s his defense that really sets him apart.
The deflections, the steals, the plays only he can make - that’s what gets us going.”
Holland’s stat line against the Rockets doesn’t scream superstar - 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting, six rebounds, two steals, a block, and an assist - but the numbers only tell part of the story. His fingerprints were all over the game, especially during the Pistons’ second-half push. He played with the kind of edge that’s becoming his trademark: aggressive, physical, and always looking to get under the opponent’s skin.
That edge was necessary in a game that turned increasingly physical, with tempers flaring and bodies hitting the deck. The Rockets ultimately rode a 32-point night from Kevin Durant to the win, but Detroit didn’t go quietly - and Holland made sure of that. His energy fed the crowd, his defense ignited fast breaks, and his presence continues to give this young Pistons team a gritty identity.
Detroit has a day to regroup before hosting the Sacramento Kings on Sunday afternoon. But if there’s one thing that’s clear heading into the second half of the season, it’s this: Ron Holland isn’t just part of the Pistons’ future - he’s already a big part of their present.