The San Antonio Spurs came into Detroit on Monday night and made a statement. Behind a scorching performance from Devin Vassell and another dominant double-double from Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs dispatched the Pistons 114-103, improving their record to a league-best 41-16 on the season. For the Pistons, who fell to 42-14, it was a rare and humbling night at home — one that exposed some uncomfortable questions about where this team stands as the playoffs approach. San Antonio controlled the tempo from the opening tip and never let Detroit find its footing for long stretches.
Vassell Puts on a Three-Point Masterclass
Devin Vassell was simply unguardable on Monday night. The Spurs forward poured in a game-high 28 points on 10-of-14 shooting, connecting on a stunning seven of eleven three-point attempts at a 63.6% clip. He added four assists and shot with the kind of efficiency that made Detroit’s defense look completely helpless all evening. Vassell’s true shooting percentage on the night was a jaw-dropping 94.1% — a number that tells the full story of just how locked in he was from start to finish. The Spurs leaned on Vassell when it mattered most, and he delivered every single time without hesitation.
Wembanyama Dominates on Both Ends
Victor Wembanyama did what Wembanyama does. The generational big man finished with 21 points, 17 rebounds, and 4 assists while swatting six shots on the defensive end. He grabbed eight offensive boards and turned them into second-chance opportunities that kept the Spurs’ lead comfortable throughout the night. Wembanyama posted a plus-13 on the night, the best mark among all starters, and his defensive rating of 89.1 was a constant headache for a Pistons offense that simply could not find answers down low. Stephon Castle added a quiet but efficient double-double with 16 points and 11 assists, giving the Spurs a level of playmaking depth that proved far too much for Detroit to handle on both ends of the floor.
Duren Fights Hard but Detroit Falls Short
The Pistons were not without their bright spots. Jalen Duren put together a fierce double-double of 25 points and 14 rebounds, shooting 76.9% from the field and displaying the kind of interior dominance that reminds everyone why Detroit’s future looks promising. Ronald Holland II chipped in 15 points and 11 rebounds, adding toughness and energy when the Pistons needed it most. But Detroit’s struggles from three-point range told the bigger story — the Pistons shot just 19.4% from deep on 36 attempts, a stunning and costly collapse from distance that made any comeback nearly impossible.
Cade Cunningham had a tough night, finishing with 16 points on a brutal 19.2% field goal clip despite dishing out 10 assists to keep Detroit’s offense moving.
What This Loss Means for the Pistons
The Spurs led by as many as 15 points and never truly felt threatened despite Detroit’s second and fourth quarter pushes. San Antonio shot 45% from three as a team, connecting on 18 of 40 attempts — a masterful shooting night where nearly everything fell. For the Pistons, the loss drops them to 42-14 but stings in a way that goes beyond the record. Detroit entered this game with momentum and home court advantage, and the Spurs took both away with authority and composure.
The Pistons also struggled with turnovers, committing 16 on the night while San Antonio converted those miscues into 21 points. With a rematch scheduled in San Antonio on March 6, the Pistons will have a chance to answer — but they will need to be a vastly different and more disciplined team from the perimeter to get a different result against this Spurs squad.
