Pistons 144 - Wizards 140 (11/12/2026): Cunningham Dominates With 52 Points

The Detroit Pistons traveled to the nation's capital to take on the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. The game took place on Thursday, November 12, 2026, and delivered an evening of action-packed basketball. When the final buzzer sounded, Detroit emerged with a 144-140 victory.

Detroit improved their record to 8-3, securing their spot as the third seed in the Eastern Conference. Washington, on the other hand, fell to 4-9, placing them 12th in the conference standings. This victory marked the Pistons' second consecutive win.

Scoring Battle

The Pistons started strong in the first quarter, netting 33 points, just one more than Washington's 32. Both teams maintained their offensive momentum, with Detroit scoring 31 points in the second quarter against Washington's 29.

As the game progressed, the pace did not slow. The third quarter saw Detroit adding another 30 points while the Wizards responded with 29. In the final quarter, Washington outscored Detroit 31-27, but it wasn't enough to secure the win.

Cade Cunningham played a pivotal role for the Pistons with a stellar performance, scoring 52 points and recording 11 assists. His shooting accuracy was impressive, going 16 for 25 from the field. He demonstrated why he is a key player for the team.

Pivotal Performances

For Detroit, Ausar Thompson contributed significantly with a triple-double. He put up 17 points, pulled down 11 rebounds, and dished out 11 assists. Thompson's all-around efforts provided crucial support to Cunningham's performance.

Daniss Jenkins also made a mark with 21 points and 6 rebounds, further solidifying Detroit's lead. His shooting efficiency stood out, hitting 6 of 11 shots from the field.

On the Wizards' side, Trae Young led the charge with 37 points and an impressive 14 assists. Despite his efforts, the team fell short in a closely contested game. Anthony Davis added 30 points and dominated the glass with 15 rebounds.

Team Stats

Detroit recorded a shooting percentage of 49.5%, making 49 of 99 attempts from the field. They succeeded beyond the arc with a 37.1% three-point shooting rate, while also showing their prowess at the free-throw line, converting 84.6% of their attempts.

In contrast, the Wizards shot 49% from the field, making 50 of their 102 shots. They edged out Detroit in three-point shooting, hitting 14 of 37 attempts. Additionally, they excelled at the charity stripe, with a remarkable 89.7% success rate.

Both teams were aggressive on the boards, with Washington grabbing 50 rebounds compared to Detroit's 47. However, the Pistons capitalized on turnovers, forcing Washington into 16 miscues while committing just 12 themselves.

Looking ahead, the Pistons will continue their road trip against the Miami Heat on Saturday, November 14. Meanwhile, the Wizards will aim to bounce back when they host the Houston Rockets on Sunday, November 15. Both teams will seek to adjust and improve as the season progresses.