Pistons Beat Wizards 122-111 Despite Anthony Davis’ 44 Points

The Detroit Pistons defeated the Washington Wizards 122-111 on Monday, November 9, 2026, behind John Collins’ 24 points and 10 rebounds, overcoming Anthony Davis’ game-high 44 points and 13 rebounds. Detroit outscored Washington 72-55 across the middle two quarters to build the cushion it needed at Little Caesars Arena.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter: Wizards Take a Narrow Lead

Washington finished the opening quarter ahead 32-31. Both teams topped 30 points, setting an early scoring pace that Detroit would sustain through the next two periods.

Second Quarter: Detroit Moves Ahead

The Pistons outscored the Wizards 37-26 in the second quarter, turning their one-point deficit into a 68-58 halftime lead. The 11-point advantage in the period was Detroit’s largest quarterly margin of the night.

Third Quarter: Pistons Extend the Cushion

Detroit followed with a 35-29 third quarter to move ahead 103-87. Across the second and third periods, the Pistons scored 72 points and increased their advantage by 17, putting Washington in a difficult position entering the fourth.

Fourth Quarter: Washington Narrows the Gap

The Wizards outscored Detroit 24-19 in the final period, but their five-point gain was not enough to erase the deficit. The Pistons finished with an 11-point victory in regulation before an announced crowd of 18,982.

Key Performers

• John Collins, Detroit: Led the Pistons in both scoring and rebounding with 24 points and 10 rebounds, delivering a double-double in the home win.
• Daniss Jenkins, Detroit: Recorded a team-high eight assists as the Pistons finished with 31 assists on 43 made field goals.
• Anthony Davis, Washington: Led all scorers with 44 points and collected a game-high 13 rebounds. His scoring accounted for 39.6% of Washington’s total.
• Trae Young, Washington: Led the Wizards with seven assists, accounting for nearly half of the team’s 16.

NerdSports Stat: Detroit’s eight-point advantage at the free-throw line accounted for 72.7% of the final 11-point margin, even though the Pistons attempted only three more free throws than Washington.

Game Analysis: Passing and Free Throws Separate Detroit

Detroit’s ball distribution provided a clear statistical distinction. The Pistons recorded 31 assists to Washington’s 16, nearly doubling the visitors’ total. Detroit also made two more field goals, finishing 43-for-91 from the floor (47.3%), compared with Washington’s 41-for-89 (46.1%).

The free-throw line supplied the larger scoring difference. Detroit converted 28 of 31 attempts for 90.3%, while Washington made 20 of 28 for 71.4%. That eight-point edge helped the Pistons win despite a modest night from beyond the arc.

Neither team found consistent three-point shooting. Detroit went 8-for-31 (25.8%), and Washington finished 9-for-36 (25.0%). The Wizards held a slight 46-45 rebounding advantage, but it did not offset Detroit’s superior free-throw production and decisive middle quarters.

Davis delivered the game’s strongest individual scoring performance, but Detroit’s collective production proved sufficient. Collins supplied a double-double, Jenkins led the passing effort, and the Pistons entered the fourth quarter with enough separation to withstand Washington’s late improvement.

Closing Context: Detroit Improves to 7-3

The Pistons improved to 7-3 overall and 3-2 at home, while the Wizards fell to 4-7 overall and 2-5 on the road. Washington next hosts the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, November 11, at 4:00 p.m. PST. Detroit’s next scheduled game is another home meeting with Washington on Thursday, November 12, at 4:00 p.m. PST, giving the Wizards a quick opportunity to respond in the matchup.

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