Riley, Cooper lead undermanned Wizards past Pistons, 126-117

DETROIT (AP) — Will Riley scored 20 points, Sharife Cooper added 18 and the Washington Wizards upset the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons 126-117 on Thursday night.

The Wizards only dressed 10 players — Cooper was one of three on two-way contracts — a day after a trade with the Dallas Mavericks, but beat a Pistons team that had won five of six. The Wizards improved to 14-36, while Pistons fell to 37-13.

Justin Champagnie and Tristan Vukcevic each scored 14 points for Washington, which has won four of six since a nine-game losing streak. The Wizards got 69 points from their reserves.

Cade Cunningham had 30 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for the Pistons, who went 9 for 33 (27.3%) on 3-pointers. All-Star center Jalen Duren had four points and three rebounds in 13 minutes left before leaving game with knee soreness.

After trailing by 17 in the third quarter, the Pistons cut it to 112-107 on Duncan Robinson's 4-point play with 4:15 to go. Bilal Coulibay banked in a 3-point shot as the shot clock expired to make it 117-110, and Detroit couldn't get enough stops.

Wizards: At Brooklyn on Saturday.

Pistons: Host New York on Friday night.

Washington Wizards guard Bub Carrington (7) is held by Detroit Pistons forward Duncan Robinson, left, while trying to go to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, right, drives against Washington Wizards forward Justin Champagnie during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr (20) takes a shot over Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) drives against Washington Wizards forward Anthony Gill during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Washington Wizards guard Bub Carrington (7) drives against Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

LONDON (AP) — Enzo Fernandez's agent called Chelsea's decision to drop the midfielder “completely unfair” on Friday.

Fernandez was banished from the next two games — the FA Cup quarterfinal against Port Vale on Saturday and the Premier League match with Manchester City next weekend — Chelsea coach Liam Rosenior confirmed on Friday.

The sanction was in response to Fernandez telling a podcast this week that he would like to live in Madrid. There's speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid even though he's contracted to Chelsea to 2031.

Fernandez's agent Javier Pastore said the Argentina international does not understand the decision.

“The punishment is completely unfair,” Pastore told The Athletic. "Banning the player for two matches, which moreover are also absolutely crucial for Chelsea because qualification for the Champions League is at stake and he is one of the team's most important players.

"There's no real reason or justification for why he has been banned. Enzo didn't understand the situation. When the coach told him he accepted it because he's a highly professional guy who's always fully committed wherever he is and respects decisions, but we don’t understand the punishment because he doesn't mention any club or say he wants to leave Chelsea, far from it. He only mentions Madrid, the city.

“Our plan after the World Cup is to meet with Chelsea again and, if there is no agreement, to explore other options.”

Rosenior said he was part of the club's decision.

“It’s disappointing for Enzo to speak that way. I’ve got no bad words to say about him but a line was crossed in terms of our culture and what we want to build,” Rosenior said.

“Enzo, firstly, as a character, a person and a player, I have the utmost respect. He’s frustrated because he wants us to be successful. The door is not closed on Enzo. It’s a sanction. You have to protect the culture, and in terms of that, a line was crossed.”

Fernandez joined Chelsea for a then-British record 107 million pounds ($142 million) in 2023 and was appointed vice-captain the following year.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

FILE - Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez holds the ball during the English League Cup semifinal second leg soccer match between Arsenal and Chelsea in London, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)

Argentina's Enzo Fernandez celebrates scoring his side's opening goal against Mauritania during a friendly match in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Friday, March 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)