Pistons’ Monty Williams: ‘I think our guys care’

The Detroit Pistons are coming off their best win of the season, perhaps their lone highlight of 2024. It took place Sunday, when they stunned the Oklahoma City Thunder by a 120-104 count.

“I just think our guys care,” Pistons coach Monty Williams told reporters. “We had every reason to make excuses — a back-to-back against the best team in the West — and our guys just competed.”

Center Jalen Duren led the way with 22 points and a whopping 21 rebounds — a career-high.

“I also had six assists,” Duren said. “I knew 20 and 20 was bound to happen for me at some point. The game is slowing down for me tremendously.”

And believe it or not, the Pistons’ stunning victory (any Pistons’ victory is indeed stunning) came without guard Cade Cunningham, who sat out with what the team called “injury management.” Makes sense, given that the Pistons also played on Saturday.

“We felt like, on a back-to-back, if there was any level of concern, we didn’t feel good putting him out there,” Williams said.

Detroit still sports the NBA’s worst record at 6-40. Next up: a road game Wednesday at the red-hot Cleveland Cavaliers. Is another upset in the works?

“That’s what we need to bring every night,” Pistons guard Jaden Ivey said.