Imagine a team down three key starters, including an All-Star, yet still managing to dominate their opponent. That’s exactly what the Detroit Pistons did on Wednesday night, as Isaiah Stewart erupted for a career-high 31 points to lead his short-handed squad past the Chicago Bulls, 108-93. But here’s where it gets controversial: Can a team truly thrive without its star players, or was this just a fluke performance? Let’s dive in.
The Pistons, missing All-Star Cade Cunningham (wrist), Tobias Harris (hip), and Jalen Duren (ankle), secured their fourth win in five games, proving that depth and determination can sometimes outweigh star power. Stewart, whose previous career-best was 26 points against Memphis on November 3, set the tone early with 11 points in the first quarter. Two-way player Daniss Jenkins also stepped up, contributing six rebounds and a career-high 15 assists—a stat line that’s sure to turn heads.
For the Bulls, Ayo Dosunmu led the charge with 24 points, while Nikola Vucevic added a double-double (20 points, 16 rebounds) and Matas Buzelis chipped in 20 points. Despite their efforts, Chicago’s three-game losing streak continued, raising questions about their consistency. And this is the part most people miss: The Bulls actually led 77-76 at the end of the third quarter, but Detroit’s relentless start to the fourth—scoring the first seven points to go up 83-77—completely shifted the momentum.
Chicago’s offense sputtered in the final frame, missing 12 of their first 16 shots, including eight of 10 three-pointers, and committing three turnovers. Meanwhile, Detroit dominated the paint with a 14-4 advantage, building an insurmountable 101-87 lead with just two minutes left. Here’s a thought-provoking question: Did the Bulls simply collapse under pressure, or did the Pistons’ bench players outshine Chicago’s starters?
Looking ahead, the Bulls host Miami on Thursday night, while the Pistons welcome the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday. Both teams have plenty to prove, but Detroit’s performance raises an intriguing debate: Can a team’s depth be more valuable than its star power? Let us know what you think in the comments—this is one discussion you won’t want to miss!
