NBA Finals preview fizzles in Detroit with Pistons beating short-handed Thunder

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Pistons faced a shell of the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night in a possible NBA Finals preview.

By the time it ended, with East-leading Detroit winning 124-116, the Thunder were without their top six scorers.

“We obviously had the wind in our faces a little out there tonight,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “I thought it was a really good effort by the guys who played to gut that one out.”

Oklahoma City started the game without its four leading scorers — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen), Jalen Williams (hamstring), Ajay Mitchell (abdomen) and Chet Holmgren (back) — and sixth-leading scorer Isaiah Hartenstein (calf).

The only player from the top six who played was Isaiah Joe, who averages 11.0 points, and the only regular starter will be Lu Dort.

With those two and a few rotation players, the Thunder led 34-22 after one quarter, but the Pistons outscored them 36-18 in the second — the worst margin Oklahoma City has had in any quarter this season.

Things got even worse at halftime, with Joe (hip) and two-way center Branden Carson (back) unable to play,

Detroit led 92-75 late in the third quarter.

“The game got away from us a little bit in the third, and it looked like it was going to be a runaway,” Daigneault said. “But our guys did a great job of getting back into it.”

Oklahoma City got as close as three points in the fourth, but couldn't get the Pistons off the glass

The unquestioned star of the night for Oklahoma City was center Jaylin Williams. He had 14 of his career-high 30 points in the fourth quarter.

“He showed great toughness and, obviously, great offense,” Daigneault said. “We really flowed through him, and against a team that really pressures like Detroit, he was a great help for us.”

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

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe fouls Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) while going to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams (6) is fouled by Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren, rear, with guard Kevin Huerter (27) helping defend during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Kenrich Williams (34) has the ball knocked away by Detroit Pistons forward Paul Reed during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault directs his team against the Detroit Pistons during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams (6), guard Luguentz Dort (5), guard Jared McCain and forward Buddy Boeheim, right, sit on the bench with the Thunder shorthanded with five of their six leading scorers out injured during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

DALLAS (AP) — Wyatt Johnston scored his 30th and 31st goals of the season as the Dallas Stars beat the Seattle Kraken 4-1 on Wednesday night.

Matt Duchene had a goal and an assist, and Sam Steel also scored for the Stars, who have won seven consecutive games for the first time since last March 22 to April 3.

Johnston scored his 19th power-play goal — the most in the NHL this season and setting a Dallas season record — for a 4-0 lead. He has three consecutive 30-goal seasons and five multigoal games this season. Hitting pipes twice in the third period kept him from a fifth career regular-season hat trick.

Dallas goalie Casey DeSmith, backup to Team USA’s Jake Oettinger, made 18 saves. DeSmith went into play sixth in the NHL with a 2.37 goals-against average.

Defenseman Ryker Evans scored a third-period goal, and Joey Daccord stopped 28 shots for the Kraken.

Johnston put Dallas ahead 1-0 with 1:19 left in the first period on a deflection at the net. His second score, midway through the second period, went off his leg after a shot from the slot by Miro Heiskanen initially grazed Evans’ stick.

Duchene’s goal, the first of three second-period Dallas goals, gives him seven goals in the last seven games. Steel jammed the puck between Daccord’s pads about four minutes later, and the goal was upheld following Seattle’s challenge for goaltender interference.

Thomas Harley, who played for Canada’s silver medal team in the Olympics, had two assists.

The Kraken lost defenseman Ryan Lindgren after only two shifts following a violent collision with Stars forward Colin Blackwell.

Dallas swept the three-game season series for the third consecutive season.

Kraken: Complete a road back-to-back at St. Louis on Thursday, their fifth straight road game since Jan. 31.

Stars: Host Nashville on Saturday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Seattle Kraken center Berkly Catton, left, is slammed against the boards by Dallas Stars' Thomas Harley (55) as Matt Duchene (95) skates past in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson falls backwards over Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord, center rear, as Vince Dunn (29) and Brandon Montour (62) help defend the net in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Seattle Kraken defenseman Ryan Lindgren (55) and Dallas Stars' Colin Blackwell (15) collide as they compete in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Stars' Wyatt Johnston (53) and Jason Robertson celebrate Johnston's goal in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Seattle Kraken in Dallas, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston (53) celebrates with teammates after scoring in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Seattle Kraken in Dallas, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)