The San Antonio Spurs came into Little Caesars Arena on Monday night and left with a convincing 114-103 road victory over the Detroit Pistons, improving to 41-16 on the season. Despite falling behind after the opening quarter, San Antonio took control in the second period and never relinquished the lead, fueled by elite three-point shooting, Victor Wembanyama’s imposing two-way performance, and Stephon Castle’s steady hand running the offense. The 20,062 fans in attendance watched a Pistons squad that simply could not buy a three-pointer on a night when the Spurs were making them at a 45-percent clip.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter: Detroit Draws First Blood (SA 24 – DET 27)
The Pistons came out sharp at home, outscoring San Antonio 27-24 in the opening frame. Detroit’s half-court offense was crisp early, and Jalen Duren was a menace around the basket, setting the physical tone the home team needed. The Spurs, meanwhile, were still finding their rhythm, committing a few early turnovers that kept the Pistons’ defense honest. Detroit held a three-point lead heading into the second quarter and the crowd sensed an opportunity.
Second Quarter: San Antonio Flips the Script (SA 33 – DET 28)
The second quarter was where the game changed hands and the Spurs asserted themselves. San Antonio put up 33 points in the period — their biggest quarter of the night — to outscore Detroit 33-28 and take a two-point lead into halftime. The three-point shooting started clicking for the Spurs, and their ball movement, which would finish with 32 assists on the night, began to find open looks consistently. Stephon Castle was the primary architect, distributing the ball with poise and keeping the Pistons’ defense scrambling.
Third Quarter: Spurs Pull Away (SA 26 – DET 20)
The third quarter sealed the outcome. San Antonio held Detroit to just 20 points in the frame, their lowest output of the game, while posting 26 of their own to push the lead to eight points heading into the fourth. Wembanyama’s defensive presence was especially felt in this stretch. His 6 blocks throughout the contest disrupted Detroit’s attempts to attack the paint, and his ability to contest without fouling took away the Pistons’ most direct path to easy baskets. Detroit’s field goal percentage suffered as a result, with the team finishing at just 37.7 percent from the floor.
Fourth Quarter: Spurs Close It Out (SA 31 – DET 28)
Detroit showed fight in the final frame, outscoring San Antonio 28-31 — actually the closest quarter of the second half — but it was too little, too late. The Pistons could not consistently connect from three-point range all night (7-of-36, 19.4%), and that drought made it impossible to close a double-digit gap in the closing minutes. San Antonio responded to every Detroit push with timely baskets down the stretch, finishing with a 31-28 fourth quarter to seal the 114-103 final.
Key Performers
Victor Wembanyama, SF/C — San Antonio Spurs
Wembanyama was the game’s top-rated performer, finishing with 21 points, 17 rebounds, and 6 blocks. His presence fundamentally altered Detroit’s offensive game plan. The 17 boards gave him complete control of the glass, and the 6 blocks were a constant reminder to the Pistons that taking the ball to the rim came at a cost. Wembanyama continues to make his case as one of the most impactful defenders in the NBA, and nights like this one demonstrate exactly why.
Devin Vassell, G — San Antonio Spurs
Vassell was San Antonio’s leading scorer with a game-high 28 points. His ability to create off the dribble and knock down shots from the perimeter added an offensive dimension that Detroit had no clean answer for. Vassell’s scoring complemented Wembanyama’s two-way dominance perfectly, giving the Spurs a reliable primary offensive option on a night when their team ball movement was already operating at a high level.
Stephon Castle, G — San Antonio Spurs
Castle quietly put together one of the better all-around performances of the night, finishing with 11 assists to lead all players. His ability to run the Spurs’ offense and find open shooters was a major reason San Antonio finished with 32 team assists on 42 made field goals. Castle kept turnovers in check while consistently putting his teammates in advantageous positions — exactly the kind of steady, efficient play this Spurs team has come to rely on.
Jalen Duren, C — Detroit Pistons
In a losing effort, Duren was outstanding, recording 25 points and 14 rebounds for a double-double. He was Detroit’s most productive player by a considerable margin and provided legitimate resistance to Wembanyama in the frontcourt. Duren’s performance is a bright spot for a Pistons team that needs its young talent to continue developing. He also carried the game’s top efficiency rating among Detroit players.
Cade Cunningham, G — Detroit Pistons
Cunningham led Detroit in assists with 10 dimes, doing his part to keep the offense organized. However, the Pistons’ inability to convert from three-point range (7-of-36) undermined much of his playmaking work. On a night when Detroit shot under 38 percent from the field overall, Cunningham’s distribution could only go so far without reliable shooting around him.
Game Analysis
The story of this game ultimately came down to three-point shooting efficiency — or, for the Pistons, the lack of it. San Antonio connected on 18 of 40 three-point attempts (45.0%), while Detroit went just 7-of-36 from deep (19.4%). That 26-point swing in made threes was the decisive statistical margin and explains a gap that the Pistons’ rebounding advantage (55 to 50) and equal free throw attempts could not overcome.
San Antonio’s 32 assists on 42 made baskets reflects a team that is playing connected, selfless basketball. Their movement and spacing created consistent open looks, and when Wembanyama is controlling the paint on the other end — altering shots even when he doesn’t block them — the Spurs become extremely difficult to beat. Detroit, by contrast, shot just 37.7 percent from the field as a team, a number that reflects just how much Wembanyama’s presence affected their shot selection and decision-making throughout the night.
One area where the Pistons can feel encouraged is the rebounding battle. Detroit pulled down 55 rebounds to San Antonio’s 50, led by Duren’s dominant 14-board night. That interior presence bodes well for a team with playoff aspirations, even if the shooting woes proved too steep a hill to climb on this occasion.
Standings and Series Implications
With the win, the San Antonio Spurs improve to 41-16 on the season, maintaining their position as one of the elite teams in the Western Conference. Their 20-10 road record is among the best marks away from home in the league and speaks to the consistency this group has shown in all environments. The Detroit Pistons fall to 42-14 with the loss, a record that still places them firmly in strong playoff contention in the Eastern Conference. Detroit’s home record drops to 22-7, and while a single loss to a top opponent carries no lasting damage, the three-point shooting woes are worth monitoring as the playoff picture sharpens. Both franchises figure to be postseason participants when the dust settles — this was simply a night when one team’s execution significantly outpaced the other’s.
