Cade Cunningham drops 46 in triple-double as Pistons outlast Wizards in OT; Daniss Jenkins forces the extra frame

The Pistons vs Wizards matchup turned into a November epic on Monday night in Detroit, with Cade Cunningham delivering a career night and Daniss Jenkins drilling the shot that saved it. Detroit escaped, 137–135 in overtime, for its seventh straight win, a streak built on late-game resilience that surfaced again after the Wizards led by double digits inside the final five minutes of regulation.

Cade Cunningham’s career night powers Detroit

Cunningham was everywhere: 46 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, 5 steals—a monster triple-double that mixed power drives, tough midrange jumpers, and parade-to-the-line composure (16-of-18 FT). The headline stat was the volume: he took 45 shots, shouldering the offense with Detroit down multiple rotation pieces and clearly gassed in stretches. Even as the efficiency flickered, Cunningham’s usage kept the Pistons within striking distance until the bench could land a punch.

Key support arrived on the glass and in the margins: Jalen Duren muscled to 19 points and 14 rebounds, dominating second-chance chances in crunch time, while JaVonte Green added a timely putback dunk in OT and a string of hustle plays that swung possessions Detroit’s way.

Daniss Jenkins: the moment and the momentum

Enter Daniss Jenkins. The guard’s fourth quarter was a revelation—16 of his 24 points came in the final period, capped by a cold-blooded corner three that tied the game in the closing seconds of regulation. Jenkins’ calm against pressure defenders gave Detroit the secondary creator it desperately needed while Washington loaded up on Cunningham. In overtime he added a floater and a kickout assist that preserved the edge. For a team still defining its closing lineup, Jenkins just made his case.

Wizards waste strong nights from CJ McCollum and Alex Sarr

For Washington, this will sting. CJ McCollum poured in 42 points, hitting pull-ups and craft finishes that normally close out a road upset. Alex Sarr posted a sturdy double-double (15 points, 15 boards) and altered shots at the rim, while Cam Whitmore chipped 20 with downhill attacks. The Wizards led by 10 late, but turnovers, rushed half-court trips, and a few empty-isolation possessions cracked the door for Detroit’s rally. The loss extends Washington’s slide to nine straight.

Pistons vs Wizards: numbers that decided it

• Second-chance points: Detroit turned extra boards into 25 points, a difference-maker when the first shot wasn’t falling.

• Live-ball turnovers: The Pistons’ 16 steals fed their comeback, flipping two or three possessions that could have iced the game for Washington.

• Free throws: Cunningham’s 16 makes steadied Detroit during the late push and in overtime.

• Clutch shotmaking: Jenkins’ tying three and a couple of Cunningham midrange daggers re-wrote the final two minutes.

What this means for Detroit—and for Cade

Detroit’s identity has hardened: defend, rebound, and trust Cade Cunningham to pilot late-game offense while role players cycle into the hot hand. Seven straight—several via fourth-quarter comebacks—suggests a team comfortable in chaos. Cunningham’s line will dominate highlight reels, but the broader takeaway is structural: the Pistons survived a high-volume night from their star because others owned specific jobs (Duren on the glass, Jenkins as pressure valve, Green in the effort plays).

Where the Wizards go from here

There’s plenty to like in the tape—shot creation from McCollum, growth flashes from Sarr and Whitmore—but Washington must solve end-game organization. The final minutes featured too much one-on-one and not enough action to pry Detroit’s help off the nail. Cleaning up late-clock execution and valuing the ball are the first levers to pull if the Wizards want to halt the skid.

Quick hits

• Pistons win 137–135 (OT); streak to 7 in a row.

• Cunningham: 46-12-11 with 5 steals, 16/18 FT.

• Jenkins: 24 points, tying corner three at the end of regulation, decisive fourth-quarter surge.

• Wizards: McCollum 42, Sarr 15 & 15, Whitmore 20.

• Swing factors: offensive boards, live-ball turnovers, and late-game composure.

On a night when the shots came heavy and the legs were weary, Cade Cunningham still authored a signature performance—and Daniss Jenkins supplied the oxygen Detroit needed to get to overtime. The Pistons keep rolling; the Wizards keep searching.