DETROIT - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put on a dazzling display, scoring 48 points, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 113-107 victory against the Detroit Pistons on March 15, 2025. The performance marked the Thunder's third consecutive win and their 55th victory of the season, solidifying their status as one of the league's top teams.
Despite entering the game without two of their star players, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, the Thunder managed to hold off the Pistons through strong team play and resilience. Gilgeous-Alexander shot 17 of 26 from the floor, including 4 of 6 from three-point range, complementing his scoring with six assists and three steals.
Alongside Gilgeous-Alexander, Cason Wallace contributed significantly with 20 points, showcasing his growing role within the team. Isaiah Hartenstein also stepped up, recording 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Detroit's hopes were dampened early on as their star guard, Cade Cunningham, was ejected late in the third quarter after receiving two technical fouls, finishing the game with just 11 points on 5 of 18 shooting. His absence left the Pistons scrambling as they sought to find offensive rhythm without their primary playmaker.
Tobias Harris led the Pistons with 18 points, bolstered by Dennis Schroder, who added 17 points and 11 assists filling in for Cunningham. The Pistons' efforts to rally were notable, especially after Malik Beasley's buzzer-beater layup concluded the third quarter and brought them close, trailing 91-75 at one point earlier.
The game was punctuated by moments of tension, as the Pistons incurred five technical fouls during the third quarter. This included multiple infractions stemming from disputes over officiated calls, which frustrated the Detroit players and coaching staff.
With the Thunder maintaining control, they extended their lead as Gilgeous-Alexander closed out the contest with key late-game shots. His three-pointer and subsequent layup effectively sealed the victory for Oklahoma City.
"It feels great to contribute like this, but it's always about the team. We had to dig deep tonight," Gilgeous-Alexander remarked post-game, emphasizing the collective effort required to secure the win. He also acknowledged the challenges the team faced with multiple injuries, saying, "We’re short-handed, but everyone stepped up, and that's what it takes to win games like this."
Following the matchup, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault praised Gilgeous-Alexander's ability to perform under pressure. "He has the ability to find ways to impact the game whether it's scoring or facilitating for others," Daigneault noted.
Unfortunately for the Thunder, Luguentz Dort did not finish the game as he suffered a hip injury when he slipped on the court. Prior to his exit, he tallied seven points and seven rebounds. The team was already without Jalen Williams due to a right hip strain and Chet Holmgren, who was rested.
For the Pistons, the ramifications of Cunningham's ejection were significant. Cunningham had been contributing effectively up to his exit, scoring or assisting on every point for the Pistons early on. Coach Dwane Casey emphasized the need for his team to adapt quickly after losing their standout star: "It’s tough to lose Cade, he holds us together, but we need to band together and fight through adversity. That's part of the game."
Despite the frustrations, Detroit showcased their capabilities, shooting 50% from three-point range early on and holding the Thunder to just 22.7% from behind the arc during the first half. Their persistent tenacity kept them competitive, pulling within one point with Malik Beasley's surprising three-point shot.
The Thunder had strong showings from multiple players even with the missing roster pieces. The ability to force turnovers proved advantageous as they capitalized off Detroit’s mistakes effectively, finishing with 11 turnovers forced against only seven for Oklahoma City.
The final minutes featured intense back-and-forth play, underscoring the high stakes of the contest. Even with the lead, Oklahoma City had to navigate the Pistons' resurgence as they sought their third consecutive victory against Detroit this season.
Looking forward, the Thunder will face the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday, March 16, at 8 p.m. at Fiserv Forum, where they hope to continue their strong form. Meanwhile, the Pistons travel to New Orleans, where they will attempt to regroup and bounce back from the loss against the Thunder.