Coty Davis talks to Cade Cunningham after the Pistons’ victory in Philadelphia on Sunday.
Coty Davis talks to Cade Cunningham after the Pistons’ victory in Philadelphia on Sunday.
Detroit — Daniss Jenkins’ cool-down Monday night was different from anything he had experienced with the Detroit Pistons. With an ice pack wrapped around his right knee inside Little Caesars Arena, Jenkins sat at his locker after a career-best performance.
He had recorded 24 points, eight rebounds, four steals and three assists to lift the Pistons to a 137-135 overtime victory over the Washington Wizards. The pinnacle of his night came during the final seconds of regulation when Jenkins nailed the game-tying 3-point field goal after coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s original plan faltered.
“You dream of stuff like this,” Jenkins said. “To come out and hit that type of shot, I was just filled with a lot of joy and excitement. … Humbly and respectfully, I’ve always known what I was capable of, and I always believed in my preparation for this moment.”
But sitting on the right side of Jenkins’ locker was a red, white and blue WWE championship-style belt he received from Caris LeVert during the team’s postgame celebration. The WWE belt — also known as the “Belt to Ass” — is awarded to the player who provides the Pistons with the most significant lift, putting the team in the best position to win the game.
It’s more than simply giving the award to the player who scores the most points, given that the belt was several lockers down from Cade Cunningham, who notched a career-high 46 points in the win.
While Jenkins’ heroics were the reason he held possession of the belt, the honor marked the second time in three games that the Pistons’ depth was recognized. That depth has played a central role in Detroit’s 9-2 start.
“The depth we keep talking about is important. We believe that the guys that we have here from top to bottom can help contribute to winning, and we’re lucky,” Bickerstaff said. “Give Trajan (Langdon) and the front-office group a ton of credit for the way that they constructed the team.”
The Pistons have faced several injuries in the first 11 games. Jaden Ivey and Marcus Sasser have not played at all, while minor injuries have caused LeVert, Tobias Harris, Isaiah Stewart, and Ausar Thompson to miss time.
Each absence has created a void for Bickerstaff to fill. However, the injuries have also given the Pistons an opportunity to delve deeper into their roster, helping the franchise maintain its early-season success, including a seven-game winning streak.
Jenkins’ performance against the Wizards came three days after Bobi Klintman helped the Pistons secure a 125-107 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday.
“When you hear your name called, you have to be ready,” Klintman told The Detroit News. “I’m in the gym every day. Going out there, I always have a belief in myself, and the coaches believe in me too, which has been big time.”
It marked the first time in Klintman’s career that he received meaningful minutes in a regular-season game, an achievement that came as a surprise. He played 14 minutes and scored eight points, but his most significant impact came due to the hustle and effort he displayed inside Barclays Center.
Klintman nabbed five rebounds and secured a handful of 50-50 balls that created scoring opportunities for the Pistons. His efforts helped Detroit overcome an early 10-point deficit. By the end of the night, Klintman walked on the team bus with the championship belt lying across his shoulder.
“I wasn’t expecting to get the belt. We had two monster performances by J.D. (Jalen Duren) and Cade; one of them should have gotten it. But I am happy they gave it to me,” Klintman said. “It just shows that the team is with me in my journey. They have watched me put in the work, and to get that opportunity was big time.”
At the start of the season, there was uncertainty surrounding the roles of Jenkins and Klintman. Both players came into their second seasons sitting at the end of the Pistons’ bench and were prime candidates to spend much of the year developing with the Motor City Cruise.
But through workouts and five-on-five scrimmages at the Henry Ford Health Pistons Performance Center during training camp, Jenkins and Klintman made Bickerstaff reconsider how to distribute minutes among his players.
Nearly a month into the 2025-26 season, Jenkins and Klintman have become unsung heroes. While their contributions have led to early success for the Pistons, it’s evident that the franchise is well on its way to establishing itself as a true contender in the Eastern Conference.
“I always try to make my presence felt, whatever that looks like,” Jenkins said. “Wherever I am, you are going to know that Daniss Jenkins was there.”
Bulls (6-4) at Pistons (9-2)
▶ Tipoff: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
▶ TV / radio: FDSN, Peacock / 97.1
▶ Pistons injuries: Jaden Ivey (right knee arthroscopy; out), Marcus Sasser (right hip impingement; out), Tobias Harris (right ankle sprain; out), Isaiah Stewart (left ankle sprain; questionable), Ausar Thompson (right ankle sprain; questionable)
▶ Projected lineups: Pistons — guards Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson; forwards Javonte Green, Ron Holland II; center Jalen Duren. Bulls — guards Josh Giddey, Ayo Dosunmu; forwards Isaac Okoro, Matas Buzelis; center Nikola Vucevic.
coty.davis@detroitnews.com
@cotydavis_24
