John Collins and Duncan Robinson Power Detroit Past Washington

Anthony Davis delivered a giant 44-point performance, but Detroit had too many answers. John Collins controlled the paint, Duncan Robinson lit up the outside, and the Pistons turned early Washington mistakes into a 122-111 win Monday night. Detroit entered at 6-3, trying to keep building on its strong start. Washington arrived 4-6 and searching for a steadier path after three losses.

The Wizards jumped ahead 32-31 after one quarter because Trae Young found his rhythm late. He hit a floater and then a three-pointer in the final minute, while Davis scored from inside and outside. Detroit stayed close because Collins was everywhere early. He hit Detroit’s first three, threw down two dunks, and kept finishing plays around the basket.

The game flipped in the second quarter when Cade Cunningham began steering the Pistons through Washington’s loose passes. Cunningham scored on back-to-back drives to push Detroit ahead 42-34. Then Robinson made two three-pointers, stretching the lead to 48-40. Robinson’s shooting forced Washington’s defenders to chase him far from the basket, which opened room for cutters and drivers.

Washington fought back behind Davis, who scored 44 points on 16-for-21 shooting and grabbed 13 rebounds. He made a pair of three-pointers in the first half, powered in close shots, and kept collecting missed shots near the rim. Yet Detroit’s teamwork gave it a 68-58 halftime lead. The Pistons had 31 assists by the final horn, showing how often they created shots together instead of forcing difficult ones.

After halftime, Detroit made its biggest push. Collins followed an offensive rebound with a dunk, then Cunningham threw down a dunk of his own for a 77-62 lead. Young answered with a deep three, and rookie AJ Dybantsa hit a step-back three during a brief Washington charge. But guard Jenkins answered every time. He scored 13 of his 22 points in the third quarter, including a long three that made it 93-78. Detroit carried a 103-87 lead into the fourth.

Washington cut the gap to 115-101 on two Dybantsa free throws, but it never got closer. A block by Ausar Thompson, followed by a dunk from guard Jenkins, shut the door. Collins finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds without a turnover, while Robinson scored 22 and made four three-pointers. Cunningham added 17 points and seven assists in only 26 minutes.

Detroit’s defense helped decide the night, creating 18 Washington turnovers and 11 steals. The Pistons are now 7-3, and this win showed their growing depth around Cunningham as they prepare to face Washington again. The Wizards fell to 4-7 and will visit the Indiana Pacers next. Davis and Dybantsa, who scored 21 points, gave Washington building blocks, but Detroit’s connected attack wrote the stronger chapter.