Cade Cunningham leads Pistons past NBA-worst Wizards 123-103 in physical game

DETROIT (AP) — Cade Cunningham had 27 points and 10 assists, and the Detroit Pistons beat NBA-worst Washington 123-103 on Tuesday night in a physical game that included two late flagrant fouls by the Wizards.

Washington's Richaun Holmes was ejected in the fourth quarter for throwing an elbow to the face of Detroit's Ausar Thompson while securing a rebound. A few minutes later, the Wizards' Marcus Smart was assessed a flagrant-1 foul for elbowing the Pistons' Tim Hardaway Jr.

Jalen Duren added 15 points and 13 assists for the Pistons, who ended a two-game skid. Detroit entered the night in sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

Smart led the Wizards with 16 points. Bub Carrington and Jordan Poole scored 15 apiece.

Wizards: Washington (13-51) had won three of four entering the game, with veterans Smart and Khris Middleton helping the rebuilding squad play more competitively after being acquired at the trade deadline.

Pistons: Thompson stayed in the game after the elbow from Holmes and hit two free throws. He finished with eight points.

The game initially got chippy in the first quarter. Wizards forward Kyshawn George shoved Cunningham, who shoved back before Middleton walked over and pushed his left hand into Cunningham's chest. Poole came in late and shoved Duren. Words were exchanged as the referees moved in to quell things.

Detroit never trailed and was ahead by double digits for the entire second half.

The teams meet in Detroit again on Thursday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton (32) takes a shot against Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole (13) drives to the basket against Detroit Pistons guard Dennis Schroder (17) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole (13) tries to work around Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) while going to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff shouts to his team during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Washington Wizards forward Richaun Holmes (22) dunks the ball against the Detroit Pistons during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Washington Wizards guard Marcus Smart (36) takes a shot against Detroit Pistons guard Dennis Schroder (17) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s motorcade took a different route than usual to the airport as he was departing Florida on Sunday due to a “suspicious object,” according to the White House.

The object, which the White House did not describe, was discovered during security sweeps in advance of Trump’s arrival at Palm Beach International Airport.

“A further investigation was warranted and the presidential motorcade route was adjusted accordingly,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement Sunday.

The president, when asked about the package by reporters, said, “I know nothing about it.”

Trump left his Palm Beach, Florida, club, Mar-a-Lago, around 6:20 p.m. for the roughly 10-minute drive to the airport, but took a circular route around the city to get there.

During the drive, police officers on motorcycles created a moving blockade for the motorcade, at one point almost colliding with the vans that accompanied Trump.

Air Force One was parked on the opposite side of the airport from where it is usually located and the lights outside the plane were turned off.

Anthony Guglielmi, the spokesman for U.S. Secret Service, said the secondary route was taken just as a precaution and that “that is standard protocol.”

President Donald Trump departs Trump International Golf Club in the presidential limousine, known as The Beast, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)