After riding a nine-game winning streak, the Los Angeles Lakers saw their red-hot momentum come to an end, as the Detroit Pistons dealt them a 113–110 loss on Tuesday.
Missing the services of Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Stewart, the Pistons got a huge spark from Daniss Jenkins, who dialed in a career-high 30 points to seal the win for Detroit.
“My team needed me, that’s all I can say… I’m with the good, bad, and ugly. I’m only getting better game by game, I’m just thankful,” Jenkins said postgame.
Pistons Extinguish Red-Hot Lakers Without Their Two Stars
Missing their superstar and leader, Cunningham, who was recently diagnosed with a collapsed lung, the Pistons relied on Jenkins’ career night, as well as Jalen Duren’s double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds, en route to the gritty win.
With the Lakers missing their main guard defender, Marcus Smart, Jenkins took advantage, punishing the Lakers and even hitting two clutch buckets down the stretch that ultimately sealed the win.
With Detroit also missing a key defender of their own in Stewart, the Pistons leaned on a team effort on that end, with Duren and Ausar Thompson tasked to guard Doncic most of the way. Kevin Huerter also chipped in on that end, forcing Doncic into a huge miss in the clutch.
Lakers Remain in Third Spot as LeBron James Flirts with Triple-Double
Despite the loss, the Lakers remained with a firm hold of the third spot in the Western Conference as the NBA season nears its end, after the Houston Rockets’ loss on the same day.
Doncic was his usual self with 32 points, while LeBron James was held to his first zero-point first half in 16 years. However, the King still finished a rebound short of a triple-double, with 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 10 assists.
The Pistons will try to add to their momentum-sparking win with a match against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday, while the Lakers will try to close their road trip by creating a new winning streak against the Indiana Pacers on the same day.
