Thunder Vs Pistons: Pistons beat depleted Thunder 124-116 as top six scorers sit
In Detroit on Wednesday night, the thunder vs pistons matchup ended 124-116, with East-leading Detroit handing defending champion Oklahoma City a loss while the Thunder finished the game without their top six scorers.
Thunder Vs Pistons: Top six scorers sidelined
The Thunder started the game missing their four leading scorers — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen), Jalen Williams (hamstring), Ajay Mitchell (abdomen) and Chet Holmgren (back) — and sixth-leading scorer Isaiah Hartenstein (calf), leaving Oklahoma City shorthanded in Detroit on Wednesday night. Of the top six, only Isaiah Joe played; he averages 11. 0 points. Lu Dort was the only regular starter available for the Thunder in the 124-116 loss.
Early lead evaporates after second-quarter run
Even down personnel, Oklahoma City led 34-22 after one quarter, but Detroit turned the game with a 36-18 second quarter — the worst quarter margin Oklahoma City has allowed this season — and the Pistons took control before halftime in the 124-116 final.
Midgame absences deepen problems
After halftime the Thunder lost Isaiah Joe to a hip issue and two-way center Branden Carlson to a back issue, further depleting the rotation. Detroit pushed the lead to 92-75 late in the third quarter before Oklahoma City managed to get as close as three points in the fourth but couldn’t keep the Pistons off the glass in the closing minutes of the 124-116 game.
Jaylin Williams’ career night, Daigneault praise
Center Jaylin Williams led the Thunder with a career-high 30 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter, but his night wasn’t enough to overcome the absences. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said, "We obviously had the wind in our faces a little out there tonight, " and added, "I thought it was a really good effort by the guys who played to gut that one out. " After Detroit surged in the third, Daigneault added, "The game got away from us a little bit in the third, and it looked like it was going to be a runaway, " and said, "But our guys did a great job of getting back into it. " On Williams, Daigneault said, "He showed great toughness and, obviously, great offense, " and added, "We really flowed through him, and against a team that really pressures like Detroit, he was a great help for us. "
Local site notices for readers and next steps
Two local news sites displayed messages saying readers’ browsers were not supported and asked visitors to download updated browsers for the best experience; the 124-116 Thunder loss in Detroit was one of the stories affected by those notices. The Thunder, with their top scorers sidelined or lost during the game, will regroup for their next scheduled outing, while Detroit remains atop the East after the victory.
The next confirmed event is the Thunder’s upcoming game on the regular-season calendar; details on the schedule and recovery operations for injured players were not included in the provided context.
