Pistons’ season hits new low with embarrassing turnover

The Pistons, somehow, added another embarrassing moment to their brutal 2023 24 season on Friday. During the first quarter of their 112 110 loss to the Rockets, Detroit point guard Killian Hayes went to inbound the ball to center Isaiah Stewart following a Houston free throw, but Stewart then carried the ball out of bounds before tossing it back to Hayes — prompting the referee to whistle for a turnover.

Perhaps Stewart thought Hayes wanted him to inbound the ball and didn’t realize he’d already stepped off the court, but on the Pistons’ bench, one coach couldn’t understand what had just unfolded — placing both hands on his head in disbelief. “This is why … one reason why the Pistons are 3 35,” Rockets broadcaster Craig Ackerman said.

The Pistons coaches couldn't believe this turnover pic.twitter.com/K1wraxgQUZ Alperen Sengun ended up converting a shot for the Rockets following the turnover to give them an early 15 9 lead, while the Pistons eventually took a 12 point lead with 4:47 remaining in the first half but watched it completely evaporate by halftime.

If anything, the Hayes Stewart miscue was a fitting addition to the highlights — and lowlights — of the Pistons’ 2023 24 season, which already has included an NBA record tying 28 game losing streak that ended Dec. 30 with a win against the Raptors . Detroit started the season 2 1, with the loss occurring against the Heat — the reigning Eastern Conference champion — and the pair of victories coming against the Hornets and Bulls.

But then the losses started stringing together, and the lineup featuring Cade Cunningham, Bojan Bogdanovic, Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey couldn’t manage a win to stop the streak until their matchup with Toronto. “I feel amazing,” Cunningham told reporters following their skid busting win against the Raptors, according to the Associated Press.

“We just kept battling. It’s been a long stretch, all these losses, but I’m just happy to be part of a group of guys who don’t quit.” In their loss on Friday, ex Knick Kevin Knox II led the Pistons with 19 points, while Ivey added 18 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. Stewart added 16 points and seven rebounds..