The Detroit Pistons will enter Thursday’s game at the Frost Bank Center without three two-way players, Isaac Jones, Wendell Moore Jr., and Tolu Smith, all currently active in the G League.
These absences leave the team relying on its core rotation, led by Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren, who continue to log heavy minutes.
San Antonio Spurs will be missing Harrison Barnes due to left ankle soreness, while Mason Plumlee remains in reconditioning after returning to competition. Additionally, the Spurs’ two-way players Harrison Ingram, David Jones Garcia, and Emanuel Miller are all sidelined in the G League.
Detroit’s top performers include Cunningham, averaging 25.2 points, 9.9 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game, and Duren, who contributes 18.6 points and 10.8 rebounds. Tobias Harris adds 13.3 points per game, with Duncan Robinson and Ausar Thompson providing scoring from the wings.
San Antonio counters with Victor Wembanyama, who posts 23.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game. De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle are handling much of the playmaking, combining for 34.9 points and nearly 13 assists per contest. Devin Vassell contributes 14.6 points while Keldon Johnson averages 13.0 points per game off the bench.
The teams met earlier this season on February 23, when the Spurs defeated the Pistons 114-103 in Detroit. San Antonio has been strong at home with a 21-6 record, while Detroit leads the Eastern Conference at 45-15 and is 21-8 on the road.
In recent games, the Pistons lost a close matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers 113-109 on March 3, following a home overtime victory over the same team on February 27. The Spurs rebounded from a 114-89 loss to the Knicks on March 1 with a 131-91 win over the 76ers on March 3.
