Jaden Ivey shared how the Pistons have managed to get off to such a hot start in the 2024 NBA Cup.
The Detroit Pistons are gaining momentum as they remain undefeated in the 2024 NBA Cup, following a decisive 130-106 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night. This win improved their record in the NBA Cup East Group B to 3-0 and lifted their overall regular season record to 9-12.
Shooting guard Jaden Ivey had an impressive performance, contributing 23 points, six assists, and five rebounds. For this young franchise, these tournament games represent one of their first opportunities to compete in matches with playoff-like significance. In a postgame interview with NBA TV, Ivey discussed the team’s approach to the tournament.
“I think we’ve really treated this like a playoff series. The NBA Cup is a fantastic opportunity. Experiencing that playoff atmosphere early in the season will be beneficial for us,” Ivey said after the win against Indiana. “Of course, we still need to win a few more games to reach Vegas, but that’s our goal.”
With Friday’s victory, the Pistons are now tied with the Milwaukee Bucks for first place in Group B. The tie will be resolved on Tuesday when the Bucks come to Little Caesars Arena to face the Pistons.
Cade Cunningham, Tobias Harris return from injury
Detroit received a much-needed boost in their starting lineup with the returns of point guard Cade Cunningham (back) and forward Tobias Harris (hip). Cunningham had a strong performance, scoring 24 points, providing 11 assists, and pulling down six rebounds. Harris also contributed effectively, adding 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting and hitting 2-of-5 from three-point range.
The Pistons had been without Cunningham for the last three games due to his back injury, which severely impacted their offense. In his and Harris’s absence, Detroit suffered a significant 131-111 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night.
With Cunningham and Harris back in the lineup, Detroit’s offense showed marked improvement. Guard Malik Beasley, returning to his role off the bench, led the team in scoring with 25 points. Center Jalen Duren made his presence felt, recording a double-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks.
Progress for Ausar Thompson
The Pistons’ win over the Pacers featured second-year forward Ausar Thompson in his third game of the season, as he played about 11 minutes off the bench while head coach J.B. Bickerstaff gradually integrates him back into the team’s rotation. Bickerstaff has emphasized the importance of being cautious with Thompson, who had been sidelined for several months due to blood clots.
“We’re going to proceed with extreme caution. There’s no need to rush or push it. Even when he first got back, you could see his initial minutes were limited,” Bickerstaff said during the pregame media briefing. “Our goal is to ensure he doesn’t hold back and gets the experience he needs.”
Thompson has demonstrated growth in several areas for the Pistons and serves as a key defender when on the court. His playmaking abilities shine in both transition and half-court situations. In this game, he showcased his developing jump shot by hitting a three-pointer from the corner in the third quarter.
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