Wizards Fall to Pistons 144-140 in Double-Overtime Thriller Despite Historic Night From Trae Young, Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr
By Brian Hradsky
Maryland Sports Blog | NBA Game Recap | November 13, 2026
Final Score: Detroit Pistons 144, Washington Wizards 140 (2OT)
The Washington Wizards suffered one of their most heartbreaking defeats of the 2026-27 NBA season Thursday night, falling 144-140 to the Detroit Pistons in double overtime at Capital One Arena. Washington received outstanding performances from Trae Young, Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr, who combined for 97 points, but could not overcome a historic 52-point performance from Detroit superstar Cade Cunningham. The defeat extended Washington’s losing streak to six games and dropped the Wizards to 4-9 on the season.
The game featured dramatic comebacks, two last-second shots that forced additional periods and several exceptional individual performances. Young finished with 37 points and 14 assists, while Davis and Sarr each contributed 30 points. Despite Washington’s best offensive performance in several games, Cunningham and the Pistons escaped with their eighth victory of the season.
Cade Cunningham Delivers Historic 52-Point Performance
Cunningham was virtually unstoppable throughout the evening, scoring a career-high 52 points while distributing 11 assists and grabbing five rebounds. The Detroit guard connected on 16 of his 25 field-goal attempts and made 17 of 18 free throws, consistently finding ways to punish Washington’s defense. Perhaps most remarkably, Cunningham committed zero turnovers despite carrying much of Detroit’s offensive responsibility. According to OptaSTATS, he became the first NBA player to record at least 50 points, 10 assists and no turnovers since the league began tracking turnovers in 1977-78.
Cunningham’s performance was especially damaging during the overtime periods, when Washington appeared to have gained control. After the Wizards opened the first overtime with seven consecutive points, Cunningham helped Detroit erase the deficit and extend the contest. He then opened the second overtime with a crucial three-pointer before delivering another important basket in the final minute. His baseline jumper with 25.3 seconds remaining gave Detroit a 142-138 advantage and helped secure the victory.
Detroit also received a tremendous all-around performance from Ausar Thompson, who recorded his first career triple-double. Thompson finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, providing valuable support on both ends of the floor. Daniss Jenkins added 21 points before fouling out, giving the Pistons another important offensive contributor.
Trae Young Forces Overtime With Incredible Buzzer-Beater
Young delivered his best scoring performance of the young season, finishing with 37 points and 14 assists. Although he shot just 8-for-23 from the field, his playmaking and late-game heroics nearly carried Washington to a desperately needed victory. His most memorable moment came at the end of regulation, when the Wizards trailed by three points with only seconds remaining. Young caught an inbound pass from Kyshawn George, pump-faked against Detroit’s defense and buried a 29-foot three-pointer as the buzzer sounded.
The spectacular shot tied the game at 121 and sent Capital One Arena into a frenzy. Washington had appeared destined for another disappointing loss after failing to convert a critical possession moments earlier. Instead, Young gave the Wizards another opportunity and provided one of the team’s most exciting highlights of the season. His 14 assists also represented a significant improvement in Washington’s offensive organization compared with its previous game against Indiana.
Young’s leadership was particularly important because Washington had struggled to maintain consistent offensive production during its losing streak. Against Detroit, the Wizards moved the ball effectively and created opportunities for multiple players to contribute. Their 33 assists reflected a more balanced attack, even as the final result remained disappointing.
Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr Dominate Inside
Davis continued to establish himself as a centerpiece of Washington’s frontcourt, finishing with 30 points and 15 rebounds. The veteran big man gave the Wizards a strong interior presence and repeatedly challenged Detroit around the basket. His performance marked the 300th time in his career that he recorded at least 25 points and 10 rebounds. Unfortunately for Washington, Davis fouled out with 4:05 remaining in the second overtime, removing one of the team’s most important defensive and rebounding contributors.
Sarr was equally impressive, delivering a season-high 30 points on extraordinary shooting efficiency. The young center made all 10 of his field-goal attempts during regulation and finished 12-for-14 from the floor. His combination of finishing ability, perimeter shooting and passing helped Washington repeatedly answer Detroit’s scoring runs. Sarr’s performance was particularly encouraging because it demonstrated how effectively he can operate alongside Davis in Washington’s oversized frontcourt.
The trio of Young, Davis and Sarr also accomplished something the franchise had not seen in nearly 57 years. Their three 30-point performances marked Washington’s first such game since Mike Davis, Earl Monroe and Gus Johnson accomplished the feat for the Baltimore Bullets on Nov. 18, 1969. That historical connection made the performance especially noteworthy for basketball fans throughout Maryland. Unfortunately, the individual milestones were overshadowed by another defeat.
Wizards Show Resilience in Wild Fourth Quarter and Overtime
Washington trailed 94-90 entering the fourth quarter but continued battling against one of the Eastern Conference’s strongest teams. The Wizards took a 101-100 lead early in the period following a transition basket by Bilal Coulibaly, assisted by Young. Later, Sarr helped ignite another comeback with a three-pointer and an assist to George, whose three-pointer gave Washington a 118-117 advantage with 33 seconds remaining. The teams continued exchanging baskets until Young’s dramatic shot forced overtime.
Washington appeared ready to complete the comeback after scoring the first seven points of the opening overtime period to build a 128-121 advantage. However, Detroit responded behind Cunningham, and the Pistons eventually moved back into position to win. Rookie AJ Dybantsa rescued Washington with a difficult midrange jumper that tied the game at 132 just before the first overtime expired. His basket forced another five minutes of basketball and gave Washington one final opportunity.
Detroit seized control early in the second overtime when Cunningham connected from three-point range and Thompson followed with a tip-in. The Wizards struggled to respond after Davis fouled out, and Detroit maintained its narrow advantage down the stretch. Cunningham’s late basket provided the separation the Pistons needed, ending a contest featuring 20 lead changes and 13 ties.
Game Statistics
| Category | Pistons | Wizards |
|---|---|---|
| Field-goal shooting | 49.5% | 49.0% |
| Three-point shooting | 37.1% | 37.8% |
| Free throws made | 33 | 26 |
| Assists | 28 | 33 |
| Turnovers | 11 | 16 |
| Points in paint | 52 | 62 |
| Fast-break points | 26 | 12 |
The statistics reveal how closely matched the teams were throughout the evening. Washington actually finished with more assists, more points in the paint and a slightly better three-point percentage than Detroit. However, the Pistons enjoyed a substantial advantage in free throws made and committed five fewer turnovers. Those differences ultimately proved decisive in a game separated by just four points.
MSB Take: Encouraging Progress, but Washington Must Learn How to Finish
The Wizards have legitimate reasons to feel encouraged despite another frustrating result. Young demonstrated his ability to lead the offense, Davis continued producing at an All-Star level, and Sarr delivered one of the strongest performances of his developing career. Having three players score at least 30 points against a quality opponent shows the offensive potential of this roster. However, Washington must translate that talent into victories before the losing streak becomes an even larger problem.
The most concerning aspect of Thursday’s defeat was Washington’s inability to protect a seven-point lead during the first overtime. The Wizards had the momentum, the home crowd behind them and an opportunity to finish the game. Instead, Detroit’s experience and Cunningham’s shot-making allowed the Pistons to recover. Washington also needs to improve its defensive discipline, particularly in situations where foul trouble can remove important players from the floor.
Sarr’s development might be the most promising long-term takeaway. His efficiency against Detroit suggests he can become an important offensive weapon without requiring a large number of possessions. Playing alongside Davis gives Washington an unusual combination of size, shooting and interior scoring that opponents must respect. If the Wizards can improve their late-game execution, performances like Thursday’s could eventually become victories rather than missed opportunities.
What’s Next for Washington?
The Wizards will attempt to end their six-game losing streak when they host the Houston Rockets on Sunday, Nov. 15. Washington enters that matchup with a 4-9 record and plenty of questions about its defensive consistency. Detroit, meanwhile, improved to 8-3 and will visit the Miami Heat on Saturday.
For Washington, the immediate challenge is finding a way to reproduce Thursday’s offensive production while improving its defense in critical situations. The Wizards have shown that they possess enough individual talent to compete with strong Eastern Conference opponents. Now they must prove they can close out those games and turn competitive performances into wins.
