The Detroit Pistons play tough, no-nonsense basketball. And any team that faces off with them had better be prepared to do the same, or they're getting run over. While the Pistons ultimately took down the Sacramento Kings, rookie Dylan Cardwell stood tall and took the fight to them.
As the season progresses, who the top teams in each conference are is becoming increasingly evident. In the east, the frontrunners are currently the Pistons with a record of 24 wins and six losses, putting them three games ahead of the New York Knicks in the second spot.
Keeping that in mind, Sacramento fans knew their Kings were in a tough fight from the jump. Detroit owned most of the game, though the Kings came back with better defense in the second half. They actually got pretty close in the fourth quarter, making the Pistons a little nervous.
It's been good to see the Sacramento squad fighting, even in losing battles like this one. They've faced a terrible schedule, endless injuries, and an ongoing internal upheaval that isn't close to settling down. In particular, it was great to see a rookie like Dylan Cardwell undaunted by the challenge.
Dylan Cardwell stood up for the Kings against the Pistons
One of the beneficiaries of the Kings' injury situation has been Cardwell. After playing incredibly well in the G League, the rookie was called up to help fill in the gaps. He has done an exceptional job, particularly on defense, where he's building a reputation as a reliable rim protector.
During the Kings' matchup against the Pistons, Cardwell took on Isaiah Stewart on multiple occasions. He is a six-foot-eight-inch, 250-pound center and power forward who has been in the league since 2020. Stewart is one of the toughest guys the Pistons have, and a physical baller.
Many rookies would have been put off by taking on someone of the stature and skill of Stewart. Cardwell wasn't. More than simply being annoying to Stewart, Cardwell straight-up took the fight to him and was an absolute beast himself. It was a good showing for a young King on the rise.
Stewart did get the better of Cardwell on more than a few occasions, but that's to be expected when a veteran takes on a newbie. Regardless, Cardwell's energy, enthusiasm, and unrelenting fight still shone through, and he is quickly making himself a fan favorite in Sactown.