WAYNE ELLINGTON

LeBron James passed Karl Malone for second place on the NBA’s career scoring list, but it was part of another loss for his Los Angeles Lakers when the Washington Wizards rallied from a 16-point deficit to win 127-119.

LeBron James and Russell Westbrook both had triple-doubles as the Los Angeles Lakers snapped a season-high,five-game skid with a 132-123 win over the Houston Rockets.

Rookie Austin Reaves swished a 3-pointer with 0.9 seconds left in overtime to give the Los Angeles Lakers a 107-104 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

LeBron James made the tiebreaking 3-pointer in overtime and followed with a back-breaking 3 in his return from the first suspension of his career to help the Los Angeles Lakers beat Indiana 124-116 on Wednesday night.

Anthony Davis had 34 points and 15 rebounds to help the Los Angeles Lakers beat the San Antonio Spurs 114-106 on Sunday.

Chris Paul scored his 20,000th career point on the way to 23 points and 14 assists, and Devin Booker added 22 points in the Phoenix Suns’ 115-105 victory over the winless Los Angeles Lakers.

The Western Conference has the best regular season team from last year in Utah.

The Detroit Pistons have a number of players who will become free agents. The team has three restricted free agents, two of those will likely receive qualifying offers, while one may not. Detroit also has two unrestricted free agents. With the Pistons expecting to add just a couple of new faces this offseason, here are some of the team’s pending free agents. Dennis Smith Jr. (RFA) -- The Pistons acquires Dennis Smith Jr. via the trade that sent Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks.

So the Pistons used that to their advantage with some help from the return of veterans Wayne Ellington and Cory Joseph. So Pistons head coach Dwane Casey said wins and the leadership of the veterans will give their young team hope and confidence. That’s what happened tonight.”Cory Joseph adds some stability: With the season winding down, the injuries to some of the Pistons veterans have piled up. Both veterans provided a stabilizing force, leading the Pistons in scoring with 18 points each by the end of the night. Wayne Ellington empties the clip: Detroit had a solid night from long range and part of that was due to Ellington’s 60 percent shooting night from three.

Cory Joseph (18 points, 11 assists) and Wayne Ellington (18 points) returned from four-game absences to help Detroit Pistons snap a four-game skid.

Wayne Ellington and Cory Joseph scored 18 points apiece to help the Detroit Pistons snap a four-game losing streak with a 111-97 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday night.

DETROIT -- With some fresh legs back in the lineup, the Detroit Pistons snapped a four-game losing skid Thursday, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 111-97 at Little Caesars Arena. The Pistons had just enough offense from 3-point distance to gain separation. Ellington’s presence opened up plenty of options, as six other Pistons scored in double digits. Detroit shot 44-of-83 overall and scored 62 points in the paint, getting around the Grizzlies’ big men. Frank Jackson, who made his fifth start of the season, scored 11.

Detroit Pistons (19-43) vs. Dallas Mavericks (34-27): 7 p.m.; Little Caesars Arena; Bally Sports Detroit Extra; WOMC-FM (104.3).

The Detroit Pistons look to avoid a sweep from the Indiana Pacers when the two teams face each other for the final time this season. Catch the game on Bally Sports Detroit Plus and stream it on NBA League Pass or AT&T TV. Detroit will look to box out Damontas Sabonis, who pulled down 11 rebounds the last time the two teams faced off. Who: Detroit Pistons (18-42) at Indiana Pacers (27-31)When: Saturday, April 24Time: 7 p.m. ETWhere: BANKERS LIFE FIELDHOUSE -- Indianapolis, INTV: Bally Sports Detroit PlusStream: NBA League Pass | AT&T TV

The Detroit Pistons kick off an eight-day road trip with the first matchup being against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Catch the game on Bally Sports Network and stream it on NBA League Pass or AT&T TV. It also will see the return of Troy Weaver to Oklahoma City almost 10 months after he joined the Pistons. Who: Detroit Pistons (14-35) at Oklahoma City Thunder (20-29)When: Monday, April 5Time: 7 p.m. ETWhere: Chesapeake Energy Arena -- Oklahoma City, OK.TV: Bally Sports DetroitStream: NBA League Pass | AT&T TV

The Detroit Pistons turned the page and shifted focus as they worked to defeat the Washington Wizards after a lackluster outing the night before. Jackson also helped the Pistons limit the Wizards to just 91 points on 40-of-85 shooting. Heading into the game, the Wizards ranked ninth in the NBA in points, scoring on average 114.5 points per game. Though the Wizards outscored the Pistons inside the paint by two points, the Pistons played solid defense to close off lanes. The Wizards made 49 shot attempts in the paint as the Pistons cut off their options while limiting trips to the line.

Detroit Pistons guard Delon Wright takes a shot as Philadelphia 76ers guard Seth Curry defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)It’s NBA Trade Deadline week! (This was originally issued in the Pistons Pivot Newsletter -- sign up for it here)👀 Trade deadline weekThe NBA Trade Deadline is Thursday (March 25) at 3 p.m. -- it’s one of my favorite days of the NBA season. The NBA Trade Deadline is usually one of the most exciting days of the year, resulting in big trades with big teams in big positions. AdThree of the active rookies on the Pistons roster, (Bey, Stewart and Lee) are in the top 12 for rookie player efficiency rating.

The Detroit Pistons have had their struggles on offense this season, but they have tried to hang their hats on their defense. On Monday though, the San Antonio Spurs used a big second quarter to beat the Pistons, 109-99. Here are some takeaways:Quiet night on defense: On Saturday, the Pistons held a Brooklyn Nets team averaging 121.1 points per game to 100 points. San Antonio carved up Detroit for 69.6 percent overall shooting in the second quarter, and outscored the Pistons 36-26. It was the first time the Pistons took fewer than 27 three-point shot attempts.

NEW YORK – James Harden scored 12 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter and had his ninth triple-double with the Nets to help Brooklyn beat the Detroit Pistons 100-95 on Saturday night. Harden also added 10 rebounds and 10 assists in his 55th triple-double as Brooklyn improved to 26-13 with its 12th win in its last 16 games. Whereas the Nets rolling, the Pistons are stuck in neutral. “It's a good thing that we're staying close in these games,” Wright said. “We have a chance to to extend the lead,” Wright said.

With the second half of the season set to begin Thursday in Charlotte, here are the Pistons’ grades from the first half:Saddiq Bey: B+The No. He has become one of the Pistons’ most consistent shooters from long range, averaging 39.3 percent from three. He’s made the Pistons’ decision that much harder at point guard with such strong play and natural ability to lead. He’s also shown that he’s not afraid to take risks, as he has tried to dunk over NBA big men on three different occasions. Coach Dwane Casey and Staff: BCasey, in his third season with the Pistons, and his staff have been tasked with molding the foundation in the franchise’s rebuild.

NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)TAMPA, Fla. – Wayne Ellington scored 25 points and the Detroit Pistons beat the virus-depleted Toronto Raptors 129-105 on Wednesday night to snap a three-game losing streak. The Raptors played without Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby, three of their top four scorers, and reserves Malachi Flynn and Patrick McCaw because of the NBA's health and safety protocols. Toronto's scheduled Sunday night game against Chicago Bulls also was postponed. Raptors: F Yuta Watanabe got his first NBA start, but did not score.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Wayne Ellington scored 25 points and the Detroit Pistons beat the virus-depleted Toronto Raptors 129-105 on Wednesday night to snap a three-game losing streak. Ellington was 8 of 11 from 3-point range and the Pistons were 20 for 41 overall from long range. Toronto’s scheduled Sunday night game against Chicago Bulls also was postponed. The Pistons came into the game with an NBA-leading 41.9 bench points per game. Raptors: F Yuta Watanabe got his first NBA start, but did not score.

After a close loss on Friday night, the Detroit Pistons followed with another. The Pistons fell to the New York Knicks 109-90 on Sunday, in a night where cold shooting plagued them. The Pistons put up a strong fight in the game’s opening quarter, but the Knicks wore them down with each quarter that followed. The Knicks blocked seven of the Pistons’ shot attempts on Sunday night and pulled down 35 defensive rebounds. Can’t slow the hot second-half Knicks: The Knicks have won three of their last five games and were fresh off a win over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night.

Detroit Pistons guard Wayne Ellington returned to form on Sunday night, but it was not enough to lift the team to a win. The Pistons fell 109-90 to the New York Knicks on a shaky offensive night for them at Little Caesars Arena. Ellington had plenty of help from one of Detroit’s more consistent players as Jerami Grant helped keep the Pistons within range. Grant scored 10 points in the first quarter, then added another 11 in the third as Pistons tried to erase an 11-point halftime deficit. The Pistons fell behind 83-64 at the end of the third.

Strong on Sunday with 12 points, five assists and three steals, Lee scored 13 points in nthe first half Tuesday, keying the Pistons’ strong start. Dennis Smith Jr. added 14 points for the Pistons, who shot 46.6% despite 10-for-34 shooting from 3-point range. He returned in the second period and made just 4 of 14 shots in the game. ALL-STAR AGAINVucevic got an emotional lift prior to tipoff when news broke that the center was chosen as a reserve for the March 7 All-Star Game. Vucevic’s biggest area of improvement has been his 3-point shooting.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) is defended by Detroit Pistons forward Saddiq Bey (41) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)LOS ANGELES – LeBron James scored eight of his 33 points in the second overtime, Anthony Davis added 30 points and the Los Angeles Lakers narrowly avenged a loss in Detroit last month with a 135-129 victory over the undermanned Pistons on Saturday night. The Lakers committed a season-high 23 turnovers, blew a 17-point lead and wasted several chances to win in regulation. “There’s so many learning situations for young players and our guys to play against a great team like the Lakers. Lakers: Vogel got a technical foul in the second quarter for arguing about a blocking call on Marc Gasol.

Detroit got out to a solid start, playing some strong defense in the first quarter to keep it close. With Derrick Rose and Wayne Ellington out, the Pistons couldn’t find the spark needed to stymie the Suns’ fast pace. Tough night from long range: For the first time this season, the Pistons shot below 20 percent from three (7-of-36). Despite keeping the game within 11 points, the Pistons hardly stood a chance against the Suns, who were just more efficient. He’s normally a good 3-point shooter but he’s growing.”

The revamped Pistons are 5-15 at the 20-game mark, a little more than a quarter of the way through this 72-game season. He has led the team in scoring in 16 games and has tallied more points in his first 20 games as a Piston than anyone in franchise history. Stewart does not back down from anybody and has given the Pistons solid minutes as Mason Plumlee’s backup, averaging 4.8 points and 5.4 rebounds. The Pistons signed him for his second stint with the organization, but he didn’t get off the bench in five of the first six games. Griffin’s rest provided more opportunities for Doumbouya, the 15th pick in 2019, but he hasn’t started any games and is averaging only 12.5 minutes.

Related: Klay Thompson, Draymond Green blast Pistons’ Rodney McGruderWhile Thompson and Green lambasted McGruder for being a tough guy, Ellington described his Pistons teammate as anything but. “And then, guys call him, you know all this tough guy talking all this stuff. Rod has never, ever tried to portray or act like a tough guy ever in this league. “So, for Draymond to sit up and talk all that type of crazy stuff behind a microphone, I think that’s the fake tough guy stuff, to be honest with you. It’s like, ‘Bro, get out of here.’ "Green, who addressed the incident in the postgame Zoom media availability, called McGruder a tough guy.

Detroit Pistons guard Rodney McGruder hasn’t played much this season and has pretty much gone under the radar. When the (expletive) Rodney McGruder become the tough guy on the team? Rodney (expletive) tough guy. So, Wayne Ellington must have went over to the bench … I guess he told Rodney McGruder because he hadn’t been in the game. But I know nobody is scared of no damn Rodney McGruder, like (expletive) kidding me?”The Pistons acquired McGruder in November from the Los Angeles Clippers in a three-team deal.

Unlike the first night of their back-to-back, the Pistons (5-15) took care of the ball, which coach Dwane Casey said made the difference. “Tonight, he came back and had a very solid, all-around defensive game, rebounding game, scoring game, finishing at the rim,” Casey said. “He brings it every night,” Casey said. James made just one of his five shot attempts in the third, and was scoreless in the fourth, finishing with 22 points. “Energy, I thought just our energy level was high coming off of a flat game last name in Cleveland.”

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) looks to shoot as Detroit Pistons center Mason Plumlee (24) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)DETROIT – LeBron James made his first seven shots from the field and looked plenty capable of leading the Lakers to a victory with Anthony Davis sidelined. James scored just two points after halftime, and the Detroit Pistons handed Los Angeles its second straight loss, 107-92 on Thursday night. "We just didn’t have a great rhythm that second half in any way.”Wayne Ellington added 20 points for the Pistons. Pistons: Detroit made all 13 of its free throws.

Griffin scored 23 points and added six assists Thursday to lead the Pistons past the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers 107-92 at Little Caesars Arena. It was only the second time in 14 games this season Griffin has reached 20 points, the first since Dec. 26. Wayne Ellington scored 20 points, extending his career-best streak of games with 15 or more points to eight. Jerami Grant scored 14 points and Derrick Rose scored 14 off the bench. The Pistons are 6-3 in past eight vs. Lakers, including five in a row at home.

Here are some takeaways:Detroit is careless with the ball: Heading into the matchup the Pistons were aware that the Cavaliers lead the league in opposition turnovers. By the end of the half, Cleveland scored 16 points off of 12 Detroit turnovers. The plus side was that the Cavaliers were just as careless with the ball, allowing 15 Pistons points off 12 takeaways. The Cavaliers on average forced 17.5 turnovers with 20.1 percent of their points coming off turnovers. It is the second-highest number of turnovers the Pistons have had this season.

The Pistons played with intensity from the opening tip to set the tone against the Joel Embiid-less Sixers. Ellington, in each of the past five games, has made four or more shots from beyond the arc, tying Joe Dumars’ franchise record from 1999. He’s steadily been one of the Pistons’ strongest shooters from long-range since sliding into the starting lineup consistently on Jan. 13. “Two years ago he was godsend and he’s been that this year for sure.”Delon Wright’s career night: The Pistons acquired Delon Wright in the offseason to add depth at point guard. More: Delon Wright’s career night helps Pistons top Sixers

Delon Wright scored a career-high 28 points and Wayne Ellington had another impressive shooting night for Detroit, leading the Pistons to a 119-104 victory over the Eastern Conference-leading Philadelphia 76ers on Monday. Jerami Grant scored 25 points for the Pistons (4-13), who still have the NBA’s worst record but took advantage of Joel Embiid’s absence. He helps our offense flow.”Tobias Harris led Philadelphia with 25 points, but the 76ers (12-6) never made much of a run after the Pistons controlled the early going. This was a very winnable game in my opinion, we just didn’t win the game,” Rivers said. Ben Simmons missed two of the free throws and Harris missed the other, leaving the 76ers still down 99-85.

Delon Wright scored a career-high 28 points to lead the Pistons past the Philadelphia 76ers 119-104 at Little Caesars Arena. Wright had a strong all-around game with seven rebounds and nine assists. Jerami Grant, who had struggled with his shot the previous two games, scored 25 points, topping 20 for the 15th time in 17 games. Former Piston Tobias Harris led Philadelphia with 25 points and grabbed seven rebounds. The Pistons scored a season-high in points in the first half, leading 64-50 at the break.

The Detroit Pistons’ return to Little Caesars Arena after a three-game road trip ended with another close loss. Pistons coach Dwane Casey said the Pistons had time to execute and that perhaps the whistle should have been blown sooner. On top of that, the Pistons were cold offensively, making just seven of their 21 shot attempts in the opening quarter. Stewart injects energy coming off the bench: Casey has often praised rookie Isaiah Stewart for his energy and on Friday he showed plenty of it. The Pistons shot 46.9 percent from long range, sinking 15 of their 32 3-point shot attempts.

After an explosive game against the Miami Heat on Saturday, the Detroit Pistons fell to 3-10 after a 113-107 loss on Monday. Second unit quiet after Saturday’s big win: After the Pistons bench put up 55 points against the Heat on Saturday night, they were a little quieter on Monday. Detroit’s starters built a healthy 19-point lead in the first seven minutes of the first quarter, but the team’s second unit had a tough time capitalizing on it. With the Heat outscoring the Pistons 33-19 in the third quarter, the Pistons defense also took a hit in the second unit. Rose, continued to shine in his second game back from left knee soreness to give the stagnant second unit a boost.

MIAMI (AP) — The Miami Heat eventually showed up to a game already behind schedule. Goran Dragic scored 22 points for the Heat, who got 18 apiece from Duncan Robinson and Kendrick Nunn. Heat: Miami has used nine starting lineups through 12 games, with Dragic starting Monday for the first time this season. Miami will visit the Pistons once in the season’s second half. Heat: Visit Toronto in Tampa, Florida, on Wednesday.

Sekou Doumbouya and Josh Jackson were bright spots for the Detroit Pistons during the 2020 preseason. DETROIT – By our count, the Detroit Pistons have made 27 transactions in the last month, including trades, free agent signings, draft picks and cuts. Derrick Rose #25 of the Detroit Pistons dribbles with the ball against Gary Trent Jr. #2 of the Portland Trail Blazers. Wayne Ellington of the Detroit Pistons looks on while playing the Washington Wizards during the second half at Little Caesars Arena on Feb. 11, 2019 in Detroit. Lee can spend up to 45 days on the Pistons’ roster while also playing in the G League.

But they need proven, experienced players to not only help them win games but also aid in the development of rookies and younger players. “Our philosophy is build up from the young guys plus some veteran teachers, mentors, guys who still are productive and very good players. Our veterans have done an excellent job of teaching, showing the young guys what to do, demonstrating it with their actions and their habits in practice. Plumlee said on Tuesday that Isaiah Stewart has the best attitude he has seen from a young player. “Wayne Ellington has been a great leader in shooting drills, talking to young players, understanding who he is and where he is in his career,” Casey said.

One former Detroit Pistons guard will make his return to the roster in the upcoming season. Wayne Ellington will reportedly return to Detroit according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The 6-4 shooting guard turns 33 on Sunday and gives the Pistons a much-needed 3-point shooting threat. He signed with the Pistons a few days after that and played 28 games with Detroit. Free agent G Wayne Ellington has agreed to a one-year, $2.6M deal with the Detroit Pistons, agent Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tells ESPN.