Wembanyama’s First Triple-Double Helps Spurs Cruise Past Pistons

The San Antonio Spurs easily defeated the Detroit Pistons with a career night from rookie Victor Wembanyama.

Detroit, MI - The San Antonio Spurs beat the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night, 130-108. The Spurs snapped a five-game losing streak, and the Pistons have now lost six games in a row. 

Victor Wembanyama added 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, recording his first triple double as chants of “sell the team” were yelled by the Motor City faithful. The Pistons were without their best player, Cade Cunningham, and were led by Jalen Duren, who posted a double-double. 

Detroit, MI; San Antonio Spurs' Devontae' Graham (4) drives through Detroit Pistons' Isaiah Stewart (28). 02/10/2023.  / Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Pistons were coming off a 21-point loss to the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday and were clearly fatigued. To their advantage, the Spurs had two full days of rest to prepare for this contest.

"Tonight's game is going to be really important, so we have all the energy that we're going to need so we're just going to come out and try to win the game tonight," Cedi Osman said before tipoff.  

Considering the low stakes of two of the worst teams in the NBA playing against each other, there was a strange amount of hype surrounding this matchup. Both teams are bad, sure, but each one is in a very different situation.

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At this point in their careers, Cunningham and Pistons' coach Monty Williams are established as sought-after assets in the NBA, but Detroit's inability to build a competitive roster keeps them at the bottom of the standings, even four seasons into a rebuild. The Spurs just now committed to a rebuild and are building around Wembanyama and are stressing development and experimenting over wins. In four years, when the Spurs are where the Pistons are now, there is strong hope that the Spurs will be in a much brighter spot. 

The Spurs return to San Antonio on Friday to take on the Charlotte Hornets.