Josh Giddey’s OKC Thunder, the West’s No. 1 seed, have gone down within the upset of the season in a 120-104 blowout loss to the NBA’s bottom-seeded Detroit Pistons.
It got here much more remarkably regardless of Pistons star Cade Cunningham (knee) being a late scratch for Monday’s contest (all instances AEDT) in Detroit, with Jalen Duren (21 factors, 21 rebounds, six assists) and Jaden Ivey (19 factors, eight rebounds, six assists) shining in additional prolific roles.
The Pistons led 100-86 going into the ultimate time period as an upset was brewing in entrance of a Little Caesars Area constructing with pleasure.
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When it felt like momentum was swinging again in direction of the Thunder early within the fourth quarter, Ivey hit an enormous three from the wing to place the Pistons again up by 17 with 8:14 left within the recreation.
Giddey was the one Thunder starter to play just about your entire fourth quarter in what seemed to be a exhibiting from Mark Daigneault to present others higher alternatives to attempt to will the guests again within the recreation. Even Shai Gilgous-Alexander, who had 31 factors in 29 minutes, watched on from the bench for your entire last time period.
Giddey’s Thunder blow by way of Pelicans | 00:58
Giddey made a pair or free throws with six minutes left to get the Thunder again inside 14 and continued to steer his facet on the offensive finish down the stretch. However the Thunder couldn’t get any nearer than the 14-point margin in a one-sided affair.
In actuality, this one by no means even felt shut once more, with Marcus Sasser’s consecutive buckets – a floater then pull-up three – all however closing the door on the consequence by giving Detroit a 117-98 lead with 3:51 left as Detroit coasted to a giant victory.
Giddey simply fell wanting a double-double with 12 factors, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and Jalen Williams scored 20.
It marked simply the Pistons’ sixth win for the season– now sitting 6-40 total – in addition to their second win from their final three video games.
OKC, who even have the NBA’s greatest street report at 15-9, dropped to total 32-14 to now maintain the identical report because the West’s No. 2 seed Minnesota.
It means the Thunder and Timberwolves will play for the No. 1 seed within the West on Tuesday, whereas Minnesota is coming off a a loss to the West’s bottom-seeded San Antonio.