The Pistons slipped to 6-3 after a Sunday loss to the Lakers, trailing by 26 at one point following a weak first quarter. Yet Kevin Huerter delivered his best outing in a Detroit uniform, fueling a comeback that fell short. Could this spark a turnaround?
The veteran wing logged 24 points on 9‑of‑14 shooting, added five rebounds and five assists in 35 minutes. His highlight? A slick no‑look, behind‑the‑head feed to Daniss Jenkins in the opposite corner.
“I didn’t see it, just felt the paint was crowded,” Huerter recalled. “I sensed the lane was open, threw it where I thought it’d land, and luckily he finished it.”
Known more for scoring than stopping, Huerter also posted a career‑high five blocks and two steals. For my money, his all‑court vision makes him a true connector. The 28‑year‑old re‑signed on a three‑year, $27 MM deal after the February trade and takes it personally when opponents try to force him into tough spots.
“You get challenged,” Huerter said. “Coach J.B. Bickerstaff pushes us to guard aggressively. The bigs will protect us at the rim, but they keep switching and testing me. I meet that challenge and give my best.”
Here’s more from Detroit:
- Daniss Jenkins provided another bright spot, posting a career‑high 31 points while shooting 8‑of‑15 from beyond the arc, plus five rebounds, four assists and a steal in 32 minutes. The Pistons exercised his $4 MM option in June, and he’ll be a restricted free agent next summer.
- Veteran forward Taurean Prince bounced back from neck surgery after a herniated disc diagnosed in November. He underwent the operation on Nov. 13, 2025, and returned to the court four months later despite doctors warning that his career and left‑side mobility were at risk. “They couldn’t guarantee feeling back in my left arm, but they could fix the neck,” Prince said. “I asked only to play again, and once the surgery succeeded I plotted my rehab.”
- Bickerstaff said the team is handling Jalen Duren’s right hamstring strain cautiously, noting the star big, injured on Oct. 23, will miss at least two more weeks. “We won’t rush him; we’ll ensure a proper recovery so his return is lasting,” the coach added. Will Detroit’s patience pay off when Duren finally steps back onto the floor?