The Detroit Pistons defeated a depleted Oklahoma City Thunder 124-116 in what served as an NBA Finals preview. Oklahoma City played without their top six scorers, including stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. The Thunder managed to lead 34-22 after the first quarter before the Pistons took control, showcasing their championship potential.

With only Isaiah Joe from their top scorers available, the Thunder faced an uphill battle. Detroit led by as many as 17 points in the third quarter. Oklahoma City showed resilience late, cutting the deficit to three points in the fourth before falling short. Pistons' defensive pressure proved too much for the injury-ravaged Thunder lineup.

The unquestioned star for Oklahoma City was Jaylin Williams, who posted a career-high 30 points with 14 coming in the final quarter. His performance provided a rare bright spot for the Thunder, who now face questions about their depth during the stretch run. Detroit established themselves as serious contenders with the victory over the defending champions.