Washington Wizards at Detroit Pistons

Cade Cunningham leads Pistons past NBA-worst Wizards 123-103 in physical game

Washington's Richaun Holmes was ejected in the fourth quarter for throwing an elbow to the face of Detroit's Ausar Thompson while securing a rebound. A few minutes later, the Wizards' Marcus Smart was assessed a flagrant-1 foul for elbowing the Pistons' Tim Hardaway Jr.

Jalen Duren added 15 points and 13 assists for the Pistons, who ended a two-game skid. Detroit entered the night in sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

Smart led the Wizards with 16 points. Bub Carrington and Jordan Poole scored 15 apiece.

Takeaways Wizards: Washington (13-51) had won three of four entering the game, with veterans Smart and Khris Middleton helping the rebuilding squad play more competitively after being acquired at the trade deadline.

Pistons: Thompson stayed in the game after the elbow from Holmes and hit two free throws. He finished with eight points.

Key moment The game initially got chippy in the first quarter. Wizards forward Kyshawn George shoved Cunningham, who shoved back before Middleton walked over and pushed his left hand into Cunningham's chest. Poole came in late and shoved Duren. Words were exchanged as the referees moved in to quell things.

Key stat Detroit never trailed and was ahead by double digits for the entire second half.

Up next The teams meet in Detroit again on Thursday.

Regular Season Series

DET leads series 2-0