DETROIT, Mich. — The Detroit Pistons are halfway through their preseason schedule after a home win over the Phoenix Suns and a road loss to the Washington Wizards, with several players standing out early.
No. 17 overall pick Ebuka Okorie scored seven points in the preseason opener, including the game-winning bucket that lifted the Pistons over the Suns, then added 14 points on 6-of-15 shooting in Saturday night loss to the Wizards.
Forward Paul Reed has scored in double figures in both preseason games. Against the Wizards, Reed scored 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting and added seven rebounds. Ron Holland II led the Pistons in scoring in the opener with 14 points and added eight points against Washington on 3-of-7 shooting.
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said the team is playing looser in the preseason while keeping a hard-nosed identity. Through two exhibitions the Pistons sit at an even record. Against the Wizards, Ausar Thompson and Paul Reed fouled out in the second half as Detroit committed 36 personal fouls that night and 64 fouls across the preseason as a whole.
The Pistons next play the Minnesota Timberwolves on the road as they continue building toward the 2026-27 season after earning the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference last year.
