Defensive disruption key factor for Detroit Pistons’ wins and losses
Omari and Bryce break down the Detroit Pistons’ 4-game losing streak and why their defense is the key element to their style of play.
WASHINGTON – Daniss Jenkins was promoted from a two-way contract to a standard NBA deal on Feb. 8. The worst stretch of his young career followed soon after.
The slump culminated with Jenkins picking up his first DNP in nearly six weeks in a loss to the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, March 15. But when Cade Cunningham went down with back spasms against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday, Jenkins stepped up with a reminder of why he’s been crucial to the Detroit Pistons’ success this season.
He checked into the game to open the second quarter and delivered his most solid all-around performance in weeks, finishing with 15 points, seven assists and two steals in the Pistons’ 130-117 defeat of the Wizards on the road on Tuesday. With Cunningham’s status unclear heading into their rematch against the Wizards on Thursday, it’s an opportunity for Jenkins to rediscover his place in the rotation as the team gears up for a playoff run.
“That’s what life is about,” Jenkins said after the win. “Don’t get too high, don’t get too low. It’s a part of it. I shot out of a cannon and then you hit some rough patches. It’s all good, that’s what life is about. I take it on the chin and I keep working. I don’t shy away from nothing. Stay ready so when my number is called I do what I’m supposed to do.”
“Shot out of a cannon” is an apt description of how Jenkins has positively impacted the trajectory of this team. The former two-way guard capitalized on injuries to Jaden Ivey, Caris LeVert and Marcus Sasser early in the season and had his breakout performance, fittingly, against the Wizards on Nov. 10. He tallied 24 points, eight rebounds, three assists and four steals in the Pistons epic comeback to force overtime in a 137-135 win; most importantly, Jenkins knocked down two clutch 3-pointers to force overtime – a preview of what was to come.
Jenkins averaged 20.2 points, 7.6 assists and two steals on 50% shooting over a five-game stretch in November, including four consecutive starts following the Wizards win. He has saved the day for the Pistons numerous times while exhausting his 50 games of two-way eligibility.
His strong play gave way to an uncharacteristic slump in February and March. In the previous 15 games entering Sunday, Jenkins averaged 5.9 points and 2.4 assists while shooting 32.3% overall and 20% (5-for-25) from 3. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff promoted Sasser to the starting lineup during Ausar Thompson’s recent five-game absence, and Jenkins was benched after starting the Pistons’ March 7 loss to the Brooklyn Nets.
“He just told me just to be me because that’s what got me this position,” Jenkins said of Bickerstaff. “Try to do nothing extra, try to do nothing different other than who I am. I just look myself in the mirror every day and I just stay with it, good, bad and ugly.”
Jenkins organized the Pistons’ offense after Cunningham exited Tuesday’s win with 6:40 remaining in the first quarter. The Pistons have lacked a creator on the floor when Cunningham sits or is hurt, making Jenkins an important part of the rotation. He attacked the Wizards downhill and lifted their energy with his usual blend of confidence and trash talk, picking up a tech with Wizards wing Tre Johnson after exchanging words and a shove.
“I thought he was good,” Bickerstaff said. “I thought he was aggressive and he played the way that he needs to play – free in the mind, the ability to attack, his speed, his ability to read the game, play-make and then defend on the other end. I thought he had great energy and great spirit, and when he’s at his best that’s the way he’s playing.”
Bickerstaff will continue toying with lineups through the Pistons’ final 14 games, in part because they will be without Isaiah Stewart (left calf strain) for at least another week. Sasser and Kevin Huerter have been in the rotation after not playing through most of February. Paul Reed also is back in the rotation with Stewart out.
The Pistons are No. 1 in the East, but they’ve hit a rough patch in March, at 5-5. Jenkins will continue to get opportunities down the stretch, along with several of his teammates.
“It’s one of those things that, unfortunately, we’ve dealt with a lot this season and had to call on different guys throughout the year,” Bickerstaff said. “Tonight was an opportunity to do that, give guys the minutes, give guys the opportunities to see what they can do.
“It’s extremely important trying to find the right combinations for the different situations that we might face. And we’ll continue to grow.”
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Contact Omari Sankofa II at [email protected]. Follow him on Bluesky and/or X @omarisankofa.
