Wembanyama and the Spurs overpower the Pistons’ “bully ball”: “A great test”
San Antonio answers Detroit’s physicality punch for punch and secures its ninth straight win. Wembanyama dominates in the paint, Vassell strikes from beyond the arc
In Detroit, this wasn’t just another game. It was a test of maturity. And the San Antonio Spurs passed it with authority, defeating the Detroit Pistons 114-103 in a matchup that was intense, rugged and, at times, heated. A potential preview of something bigger, if both teams continue on this trajectory.
Victor Wembanyama dominant
Victor Wembanyama finished with 21 points, 17 rebounds and 6 blocks. Leader-type numbers, even on a challenging shooting night (6-of-16 from the field). The interesting part? San Antonio still won comfortably despite his inefficiency.
It was a night where we confirmed our progress and our potential. A great test.
Victor Wembanyama
18 Spurs triples
While Wembanyama made his impact felt with his presence and defense, Devin Vassell caught fire from beyond the arc: 28 points, including 7 made threes. In total, the Spurs shot 18-of-40 from three-point range and had four players score in double figures.
The message is clear: this is not a one-man team. Even Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff acknowledged it:
We know how impactful Wemby is, but it’s not an individual show. They’ve got a lot of talented perimeter players.
J.B. Bickerstaff
San Antonio has now won nine straight games, a season high, trailing only the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference.
Physical battle and frayed nerves: Detroit plays “bully ball”
Detroit tried to tilt the game toward physicality. Wembanyama described the Pistons’ style as “bully ball,” a physical brand of basketball played on the edge of the rulebook.
Tensions rose in the first half: an offensive foul by Cade Cunningham on Stephon Castle, a shove from Keldon Johnson, a reaction from Jalen Duren. Technical fouls were assessed after video review.
Castle explained the turning point this way:
That situation got us going. We’re not a team that backs down.
Stephon Castle
The context isn’t random. Detroit is coming off multiple disciplinary situations: Isaiah Stewart is serving a seven-game suspension, while Duren had just returned after missing two games.
Cunningham struggles, Spurs lock in defensively
San Antonio’s defense had a major impact on Cunningham, who was held to 16 points on a rough 5-of-26 shooting night (21 misses), though he added 10 assists. Castle guarded him for most of the game, making life difficult throughout.
When a team with playoff ambitions can win while containing the opposing star, that’s a strong signal.
The Spurs haven’t made the NBA playoffs since 2019. Wembanyama, now in his third season, is looking ahead:
I don’t know exactly what the playoffs are like, but I know it’s going to take this kind of physicality.
Victor Wembanyama
San Antonio didn’t just win a game. It sent a message. You can try to push, you can try to muck it up, but these Spurs now have talent, depth and a star who doesn’t shy away from contact.