Isaiah Stewart kept the message direct after the Detroit Pistons fell 94-88 to the Orlando Magic in Game 4.
“Backs against the wall,” Stewart said. “You know what you going to do? You going to fight. You got to fight to the end.”
Detroit now trails the series 3-1 despite winning 60 games in the regular season, and the loss at Kia Center exposed recurring issues in execution.
“Yeah. No. You know, it was a hump we was trying to get over,” Stewart said. “Every time we was right there, we kept hurting ourselves either with turnovers or unnecessary fouls.”
The Pistons committed 20 turnovers, and those mistakes disrupted any momentum they built on either end.
“So, a lot of that was on us,” Stewart said. “We kept talking about it… not hurting ourselves, not turning the ball over and not committing stupid fouls. So, we didn’t do a good job of that tonight.”
Orlando capitalized on those errors, finishing with a clear edge in possession control while overcoming inefficient shooting.
Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 25 points but also had eight turnovers, a reflection of Orlando’s defensive focus.
“I mean they’re sending bodies at him,” Stewart said. “They’re trying to get the ball out of his hands in every way. So we just have to do a better job obviously just continue giving him outlets and keep helping him out.”
The Magic’s defensive scheme forced the Pistons into crowded driving lanes and late-clock decisions, limiting clean scoring opportunities.
Stewart contributed eight points and eight blocks, anchoring the interior despite the loss.
“Yeah, I mean just doing whatever I can to help with whatever minutes is given to me,” Stewart said. “I just go out there and do my best to try to help the team.”
Detroit’s inability to control rebounds at key moments also hurt, allowing Orlando to extend possessions and slow the game down.
The Pistons still showed stretches of control, but each run was followed by turnovers or second-chance opportunities for Orlando.
Stewart emphasized that the difference was execution, not effort.
“I mean, we kept talking about it,” he said. “Not hurting ourselves… and we didn’t do a good job of that tonight.”
Game 5 now shifts to Detroit, where the top seed will try to extend its season.
“Let’s get back to the crib, protect the crib, and take it one game at a time,” Stewart said.
