Spurs vs. Pistons: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions

The San Antonio Spurs (14-20) play against the Detroit Pistons (28-28) at Little Caesars Arena

Game Time: 7:00 PM EST on Saturday January 1, 2022

San Antonio Spurs 75, Detroit Pistons 77 (Q3 03:15)

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
H Diallo had 28 points in the Pistons blowout loss to the Spurs last week.
Tonight he has 23 points and it’s still the 3Q. Pistons hold the slim lead by 2 right now. – 8:46 PM Rod Beard @detnewsRodBeard
#Pistons Hamidou Diallo hasn’t just initiated hoodrat protocols tonight … he seems to have had them in effect for the past week or so. – 8:46 PM James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Saddiq Bey is 3-for-12 tonight and I think he’s played a pretty good game. – 8:44 PM Rod Beard @detnewsRodBeard
#Pistons are on a 10-2 run and they’ve moved ahead, 75-73, 4:11 3Q. – 8:43 PM San Antonio Spurs @spurs
Bryn’s getting buckets back home 🏠 pic.twitter.com/nZxLrAYTlw – 8:42 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
The Pistons have erased the Spurs 17 point lead.
DET by 2 – 8:42 PM Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
Powerful move by Bey to finish through contact. Hit the free throw. Pistons trailed the Spurs by 17 in the 2nd, but are now up 73-71 – 8:42 PM Rod Beard @detnewsRodBeard
#Pistons regain the lead, 73-71, on a three-point play by Saddiq Bey (10 pts). – 8:42 PM James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Pistons now take a lead after a Saddiq Bey and-1. – 8:42 PM Rod Beard @detnewsRodBeard
After review, the officials change the foul call to a flagrant-1 for #Pistons Luka Garza. He’ll get 2 FT and DET gets the ball. – 8:39 PM Detroit Pistons @DetroitPistons
1⃣5⃣ points in the first half tonight for @Hamidou Diallo 🙌
@BallySportsDET | #Pistons – 8:33 PM James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Keldon Johnson just picked up his fourth foul with 7:19 left in the 3Q. He hasn’t been great tonight, but still a dude you want to have to sit for a while if you’re Detroit. – 8:32 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
This is a new career high 17 points for Cassius Stanley.
His career high before was 9 points
Spurs by 1 – 8:28 PM Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
Pistons have outscored the Spurs 11-5 in the third so far, and trail 64-63 with 8:31 on the clock – 8:28 PM Rod Beard @detnewsRodBeard
Something different: #Pistons start 3Q on an 11-5 run and they’re within 64-63, 8:31 left. – 8:28 PM James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Cassius Stanley has a career-high 17 points. His previous was 9 points in the previous meeting against the Spurs. – 8:27 PM San Antonio Spurs @spurs
Three triples for @Devin Vassell in the first half 🏹 pic.twitter.com/WDDsREanGO – 8:22 PM Detroit Pistons @DetroitPistons
That @Derrick Walton and @Cassius Stanley connection 👀
@BallySportsDET | #Pistons pic.twitter.com/2anS7hxWxH – 8:19 PM San Antonio Spurs @spurs
Break time in Detroit! Second half coming up on @CW35SA 📺
Devin: 11 PTS | 2 REB | 2 STL
Tre: 11 PTS | 2 AST | 2 REB
Bryn: 11 PTS | 2 AST | 2 REB pic.twitter.com/5QXgnbi0RD – 8:17 PM Detroit Pistons @DetroitPistons
Keep or Cancel in 2022?
@tiktok_us
@Crocs
Gender reveal parties
Sound off with your opinions pic.twitter.com/L01jqCAfS3 – 8:16 PM Detroit Pistons @DetroitPistons
After 2 quarters in 2022.
🔹 @Hamidou Diallo: 15 PTS / 5 REB / 2 AST
🔹 @Cassius Stanley: 12 PTS / 2 REB / 1 AST / 4-5 FG
🔹 @Luke Garza: 9 PTS / 6 REB / 4-7 FG pic.twitter.com/iYnVeXqScU – 8:12 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Spurs shot 48% in the paint during the first half and 31% from three
SA with 17 free throw attempts though
DET also struggling to shoot from three pic.twitter.com/IMw5Y4jxke – 8:12 PM San Antonio Spurs @spurs
Let it fly, KJ 👌 pic.twitter.com/9nmxlsDl6F – 8:10 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Half: Spurs by 7
DET takes the 2Q 32-30
Spurs winning the FT line by 6, that’s the big difference at the half
H Diallo is finding ways to attack the Spurs’ interior defense. He has 10 of the 24 DET paint points pic.twitter.com/lYvR8kDklL – 8:09 PM Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
Halftime: Spurs 59, Pistons 52. Detroit was on a 22-10 run before Vassell hit a 3 with 10 seconds left. Trailed by 16, but down seven at the break.
Diallo: 15 points, 5 rebounds
Stanley: 12 points, 4-5 overall shooting
Garza: 9 points, 6 rebounds – 8:09 PM James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
HALFTIME: Spurs 59, Pistons 52. Detroit turned it up on defense with that full-court trap and it led to some turnovers.
Diallo: 15 points, 5 rebounds
Cassius Stanley: 12 points
Saddiq Bey: 7 points, 4 rebounds
Luka Garza: 9 points, 6 rebounds – 8:08 PM Mike Finger @mikefinger
There are those who maintain that the Spurs and Pistons playing to an 84-69 score in an NBA Finals game was historically difficult to watch, and I would invite those people to watch the same two franchises play during an Omicron outbreak. – 8:08 PM Rod Beard @detnewsRodBeard
Half: #Spurs 59, #Pistons 52
H. Diallo: 15 pts, 5 rebs
Stanley: 12 pts
Garza: 9 pts, 6 rebs
Bey: 7 pts, 4 rebs – 8:08 PM Rod Beard @detnewsRodBeard
#Pistons have cut the lead to 4 in the final minute of 2Q. They’ve played well with this starting group back in . – 8:07 PM James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Spurs have no one who can stay in front of Hami – 8:07 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Pistons get within 5 points of the Spurs with less than a minute left before half – 8:06 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
11 points for Tre Jones in the first half.
8 paint points
3 points from the FT line
Spurs by 7 – 8:04 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
That Spurs 17 point lead is down to 7.
San Antonio having trouble on offense with White and Poeltl resting – 8:02 PM Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
Cassius Stanley has a career-high 12 points after that 3-point play. He’s been one of Detroit’s best players so far and is 4-5 from the floor – 8:02 PM James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Pistons’ defense is leading to easy offense. Deficit is now in single digits. – 8:02 PM Rod Beard @detnewsRodBeard
That’s a new career high of 12 pts for #Pistons Cassius Stanley, after that three-point play. – 8:01 PM James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
I can hear them working on the Cassius Stanley statue – 8:01 PM James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Pistons cut their deficit to 11 with 5:28 left. SA’s largest lead was 17. – 7:57 PM Rod Beard @detnewsRodBeard
#Pistons are on a 10-4 run and have cut the lead to 11, 5:28 2Q. – 7:57 PM San Antonio Spurs @spurs
this @Devin Vassell Jakob pick & roll 🤩 pic.twitter.com/ZL1awFqNiy – 7:56 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
10 points in the first half for Derrick White
6 points from the FT line
4 points in the paint
Spurs by 16 – 7:55 PM James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Hami has taken 33 percent of Detroit’s shots. – 7:54 PM Rod Beard @detnewsRodBeard
#Pistons Cassius Stanley has tied his career high with 9 pts — and it’s just 2Q. – 7:54 PM James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Pistons have committed three or four jump-shooting fouls this half … and there’s still 7:42 left.
Detroit has shot two free throws to SA’s 16, and I don’t think that’s egregious. – 7:52 PM Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
Diallo and Bey are a combined 5-18 from the floor, and have more than half of Detroit’s 35 total shots. They’re carrying a big load tonight – 7:52 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
15th 15-point lead for the Spurs this season.
San Antonio enters 12-2 when leading by 15 points.
The Spurs have led by 15 in both their games against Detroit – 7:51 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
7 points now for Jakob with 4 in the paint and 3 from the FT line.
Spurs go up by 14, their new largest lead of the game.
SA winning the paint by 8 and FT line by 11 – 7:48 PM San Antonio Spurs @spurs
BIG BODY!
#KeldonJohnson | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/kTcXf6iEuK – 7:48 PM James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Hamidou Diallo gets t’d up. He got whistled for stepping out of bounds, but he thought he was fouled. – 7:39 PM Detroit Pistons @DetroitPistons
First quarter 📊 :
🔹 @Hamidou Diallo: 6 PTS / 3 REB / 2 AST
🔹 @Cassius Stanley: 6 PTS / 2-3 FG
🔹 @BigJam_23: 4 PTS / 2 REB / 2-3 FG pic.twitter.com/FXk4Ixz876 – 7:38 PM Tony Mejia @MejiaDinero
Didn’t think I’d be watching Micah Potter, Jock Landale and Luka Garza in an NBA game in 2022 but we roll with the punches. – 7:37 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
1Q: Spurs by 9
Forbes 9 pts | H Diallo 6 pts
Jones 7 pts | Stanley 6 pts
Spurs winning the free throw line 9-0 – 7:36 PM James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
END OF 1Q: Spurs 29, Pistons 20
Hamidou Diallo: 6 points, 3 rebounds
Cassius Stanley: 6 points
Micah Potter: 4 points – 7:36 PM Rod Beard @detnewsRodBeard
End 1Q: #Spurs 29, #Pistons 20
Stanley: 6 pts
H. Diallo: 6 pts, 3 rebs, 2 assts
Potter: 4 pts
Bey/Garza: 2 pts, 3 rebs each – 7:36 PM Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
End of 1: Spurs 29, Pistons 20.
Diallo: 6 points
Stanley: 6 points
Potter: 4 points – 7:35 PM Rod Beard @detnewsRodBeard
On the floor for #Pistons: Robinson, Paige, Bey, Pickett and Potter.
You read that right. – 7:35 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
19th double digit lead of the season for the Spurs in 35 games.
SA enters 13-5 when leading by 10 – 7:34 PM James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Jamorko Pickett is checking in – 7:33 PM San Antonio Spurs @spurs
that @Tre Jones floater is a thing of beauty pic.twitter.com/41136U4zsy – 7:32 PM Detroit Pistons @DetroitPistons
Luka with the post moves 🌪
@BallySportsDET | @Luke Garza pic.twitter.com/ncIJXfNqpT – 7:31 PM Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
Micah Potter and Jaysean Paige just subbed in for the Pistons – 7:29 PM Rod Beard @detnewsRodBeard
Micah Potter is making his #Pistons debut at 3:33 1Q. – 7:28 PM James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Paige is also making his Pistons debut. – 7:28 PM James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Micah Potter is about to make his Pistons debut. – 7:25 PM Rod Beard @detnewsRodBeard
#Pistons are leading the rebounding battle, 10-3. – 7:25 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
1Q mins for Josh Primo
Landale is the 1st big off the bench after Pop went to Thad Young last night in the 2nd half – 7:25 PM San Antonio Spurs @spurs
D3VIN! pic.twitter.com/j4XEACwNRN – 7:22 PM James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Saddiq Bey has made some really good reads this quarter. The latest leads to a Cassius Stanley 3 that Saddiq gets the hockey assist for. – 7:22 PM James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Pistons throw a tribute to Betty White on the jumbotron. – 7:21 PM Rod Beard @detnewsRodBeard
#Spurs 11, #Pistons 9, 7:01 1Q
H. Diallo: 4 pts, 3 rebs
Stanley: 3 pts
Bey: 2 pts
SAS is shooting 75% FG; DET is 4-of-12. – 7:19 PM James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Diallo with 3 early, Saddiq Bey with 3. Pistons trail by two with 7:01 left in the 1Q. Spurs are a little sloppy in pick-and-roll. A lot of fumbled, bad passes. – 7:19 PM San Antonio Spurs @spurs
We’re underway in Detroit, which means the Spurs Digital Arena pres. by @socios is OPEN!
Enter now for your shot at a Big 3 Prize Pack 👀 – 7:18 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
With Lonnie out and Jones starting, Bryn Forbes is the first Spurs guard off the bench. – 7:17 PM Rod Beard @detnewsRodBeard
#Spurs seem content to trap #Pistons Saddiq Bey and let everybody else try to beat them. – 7:12 PM James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Looks like the Spurs are trapping Saddiq Bey from the jump. Also, San Antonio is going to have 1,000 points at the rim. – 7:12 PM Rod Beard @detnewsRodBeard
For those wondering, it seems that there is a 48-hour timeframe in the “return to competition reconditioning” phase, which means the #Pistons could get most of their roster back tomorrow or Tuesday, in time for their next game, at Milwaukee. – 7:07 PM San Antonio Spurs @spurs
First 5⃣ pic.twitter.com/8UgMHS3Ads – 7:04 PM James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Looks like the Pistons got some assistant coaches back – 7:02 PM Matthew Tynan @Matthew_Tynan
Was curious to see if Pop would elect to start Tre Jones at some point during DJ’s absence to move Derrick back off-ball/secondary. Now, especially without Lonnie, I wonder how much we’ll see Primo as a primary ball-handler in those bench lineups. – 7:00 PM San Antonio Spurs @spurs
IYKYK pic.twitter.com/TOSdKPs4s5 – 6:58 PM Detroit Pistons @DetroitPistons
First 5⃣ hittin’ the floor this year
@Kia | #Pistons pic.twitter.com/QucxteMPzE – 6:57 PM James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Pistons starters: Derrick Walton Jr., Cassius Stanley, Hamidou Diallo, Saddiq Bey and Luka Garza – 6:53 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Spurs notebook:
Becky Hammon pays tribute to Pop in statement released by Aces.
Another game, another scar for Derrick White, one of the NBA’s toughest.
Tyus Jones gains bragging rights over brother Tre.
expressnews.com/sports/spurs/a… – 6:53 PM Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
Derrick Walton Jr., Cassius Stanley, Hamidou Diallo, Saddiq Bey and Luka Garza will start tonight against the Spurs – 6:51 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
With Tre Jones making his first start of the season and second of his career, it seems like a good time to re-run this piece I did on his relationship with his mother, his first basketball coach and a breast cancer survivor.
expressnews.com/sports/spurs/a… – 6:49 PM Rod Beard @detnewsRodBeard
#Pistons starters tonight vs. #Spurs: Walton, Stanley, H. Diallo, Bey and Garza. #DFS – 6:45 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Devin Vassell and Tre Jones will start tonight.
Starters via Pistons pic.twitter.com/PSAggSuyQu – 6:45 PM Detroit Pistons @DetroitPistons
Drippy New Year
#ULTRADrip | @MichelobULTRA – 6:44 PM Detroit Pistons @DetroitPistons
Tonight’s @HenryFordNews injury/status report against the visiting San Antonio Spurs: pic.twitter.com/maygzAtLJu – 6:34 PM Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
Here’s the active/inactive list for the Pistons. Could be their last game with mostly G League players pic.twitter.com/DIOGEenqWo – 6:22 PM San Antonio Spurs @spurs
that cozy #ULTRADrip 💧 pic.twitter.com/eKIkD7eD5S – 6:19 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
From the Pistons, active and inactive players for tonight’s game pic.twitter.com/C94h0GWyCO – 6:17 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Spoke to Tre Jones last night about how his confidence has grown since he became part of Pop’s rotation. Dueling with his brother last night should help prepare him for this start. Tyus is a great role model for Tre. – 6:17 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
A cancelled flight, coupled with snow in the Great Lakes Region, prevented me from getting to Detroit. Since we already ruled out going to Toronto due to COVID protocols, I’m encamping in Boston. So, it’s Zoom and phone access the next couple of days. – 6:11 PM Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich on the recent rash of Covid-19 infections: “Nobody knows where they got it. You’re vaccinated and boosted…it’s very, very random. It’s nerve racking.” – 5:41 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Tre Jones will start at point per Coach Pop.
He said White, Keldon, and Jakob will also start.
He wasn’t sure yet who the 5th starter will be – 5:40 PM Mike Finger @mikefinger
Due to stranded/indisposed colleagues I’m handling Popovich pregame tonight. In addition to those in protocols, Spurs say Keita Bates-Diop is out tonight. Eubanks available. – 5:37 PM San Antonio Spurs @spurs
First game of 2022 coming up!
🆚 @Detroit Pistons
6pm CT
📍 Little Caesars Arena
📺 @CW35SA
🎲 https://t.co/9tnP05yFRW
📻 @1200WOAI, @kxtn1350 AM & 107.5 FM HD 2 pic.twitter.com/6wNACSQbCD – 5:32 PM Detroit Pistons @DetroitPistons
Check out the latest Assist of the Month! 👀
@Cade Cunningham + @Luke Garza = 💰 DIME 💰
@TitosVodka | #Pistons pic.twitter.com/wqydGQctfA – 5:30 PM Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
Dwane Casey said Cory Joseph and Isaiah Stewart are the only remaining players in protocols. The other six (Cade Cunningham, Killian Hayes, Saben Lee, Rodney McGruder, Trey Lyles and Josh Jackson) can start working on conditioning with coaches. – 5:17 PM Rod Beard @detnewsRodBeard
#Pistons Dwane Casey confirms that Cory Joseph was out of health and safety protocols but that Joseph is back in protocols now. – 5:17 PM Rod Beard @detnewsRodBeard
#Pistons Dwane Casey says the players now out of COVID protocols can practice and do conditioning. – 5:16 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
The Spurs are favored by 6.5 tonight against the Pistons – 5:16 PM Detroit Pistons @DetroitPistons
New year, same fun on the concourse at Power Hour, presented by @DiscountTire 👏
Doors open at 5:30 pic.twitter.com/BjYLnvGmgB – 4:30 PM San Antonio Spurs @spurs
A look back at some of the top plays from the 2021-22 season so far 🎥🍿
RT if you’re ready for more highlights in the new year! #PorVida pic.twitter.com/aaZfNydmwZ – 4:04 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Spurs announce they have signed G Leaguer Jaylen Morris to a 10-day contract under the NBA’s COVID-related hardship exception. – 3:39 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Jaylen Morris will wear number 16 per the Spurs. – 3:37 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
On the Spurs signing Jaylen Morris to a 10-day contract: projectspurs.com/2022/01/01/san…
Josh Primo could also see a major increase in minutes tonight with Murray and Lonnie both out. – 3:03 PM Matthew Tynan @Matthew_Tynan
Injury/illness report for Spurs-Pistons tonight is taking up a whole bunch of space on the NBA official page pic.twitter.com/MkaJ03xp9b – 2:49 PM David Locke @DLocke09
Another NBA official making their debut tonight. Sharae Mitchell calling the Spurs v. Pistons in her debut
Bianca Burns calls her 4th NBA game tonight Clippers v. Brooklyn, Cheryl Flores calls her 11th in Denver v. Houston and Brent Haskill calls his 3rd game in Jazz v. Warriors – 2:43 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Jaylen Morris has officially signed his 10-day contract with the San Antonio Spurs. – 2:35 PM Detroit Pistons @DetroitPistons
Saddiq sets it up 🤝 Hami lays it in
@BELFORGroup | Assist of the Week pic.twitter.com/scEcDLbwAy – 2:30 PM Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Spurs planning to sign Jaylen Morris to a 10-day hardship deal
sportando.basketball/en/spurs-plann… – 2:28 PM Jeff Goodman @GoodmanHoops
Creighton gets a huge double OT road win against Marquette.
Greg McDermott has done a heck of a job with this group. Have now beaten BYU, Villanova and Marquette over last few weeks.
Two of its three losses have come against Iowa State and Colorado State. – 2:27 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
The Spurs will have 10 players available tonight and could have up to 13 players available:
10 players available as of now:
1. D White
2. K Johnson
3. B Forbes
4. J Primo
5. J Wieskamp
6. D Vassell
7. J Poeltl
8. T Young
9. T Jones
10. J Landale – 2:27 PM Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
The San Antonio Spurs plan to sign guard Jaylen Morris of NBA G League Austin affiliate to a 10-day hardship deal, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. – 2:16 PM Rod Beard @detnewsRodBeard
It looks like #Pistons Cory Joseph is in health and safety protocols again.
His designation had switched to “return to competition reconditioning” yesterday.
All the DET players who were in protocols are still listed as OUT for tonight vs. #Spurs … at least for now. – 2:13 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Doug McDermott and Lonnie Walker have joined Dejounte Murray and Devontae Cacok in health and safety protocols, the Spurs announced via their injury report.
Keita Bates-Diop (hamstring tightness) and Drew Eubanks (back tightness) are questionable for tonight vs. Detroit. – 1:31 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Doug McDermott, Lonnie Walker have Dejounte Murray and Devontae Cacok in health and safety protocols, the Spurs announced via their injury report.
Keita Bates-Diop (hamstring tightness) and Drew Eubanks (back tightness) are questionable for tonight vs. Detroit. – 1:24 PM Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
5 Spurs players are out tonight with McDermott and Lonnie entering H&S protocols.
Two players are listed as questionable.
Injury report from team pic.twitter.com/JbIMx6RrPv – 1:22 PM Matthew Tynan @Matthew_Tynan
Bit of a hefty injury/illness report from the Spurs this afternoon. KBD (hamstring) and Eubanks (back) questionable on top of new H&S protocols entrants. pic.twitter.com/oCewCC9R7h – 1:16 PM Matthew Tynan @Matthew_Tynan
The Spurs have caught a lot of breaks health-wise this season relative to the rest of the league. Losing Lonnie (who’s been largely playing well) is unfortunate, but a one-in/one-out scenario is close to best-case. Concern now comes with players traveling together. – 1:06 PM Detroit Pistons @DetroitPistons
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🔗: https://t.co/s7jnNfngUl pic.twitter.com/dssOJcAOgG – 1:05 PM Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Spurs‘ Doug McDermott has entered health and safety protocols. – 1:04 PM