The Washington Wizards pulled off a surprise win on Thursday night, taking down the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons, 126-117 - and they did it with a balanced, team-first effort that rarely shows up on the stat sheet but makes all the difference on the court.
Washington came out of the gates firing, putting together a dominant 34-21 first quarter that set the tone early. The defense was locked in from the jump, holding Detroit under 30% shooting in the opening frame. That kind of defensive intensity hasn’t always been a calling card for this Wizards squad, but on this night, it was the spark that lit the fire.
Detroit, to their credit, didn’t stay down for long. The Pistons clawed their way back into the game in the second quarter, cutting the deficit and keeping things close by halftime, with the Wizards holding a slim 56-52 lead. But when the third quarter rolled around, Washington found another gear.
The Wizards pushed the lead back into double digits in the third, stretching it to as many as 19 points. They were moving the ball well, getting contributions from up and down the roster, and playing with a confidence that belied their record. Heading into the fourth, they had control - and this time, they didn’t let it slip away.
What made this win stand out wasn’t a superstar takeover or a career night from a single player. It was the collective.
Will Riley came off the bench and gave Washington a big lift with 20 points, while Sharife Cooper chipped in 18 more. It was the kind of performance that shows what this team can be when everyone’s locked in and playing their role.
On the other side, Cade Cunningham did everything he could to keep the Pistons in it, finishing with a game-high 30 points. But even his strong effort wasn’t enough to overcome Washington’s steady play and timely execution.
Next up for the Wizards: a Saturday matinee against the Brooklyn Nets, with tip-off set for 3 p.m. ET. If they can bottle up the energy and balance they showed against Detroit, they might just be building something worth watching.