​LAS VEGAS — The Detroit Pistons earned their first win of the 2026 NBA Summer League season on Sunday, July 12, beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 103-94. After opening with a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, Detroit moves to 1-1 through two games. The victory featured a breakout performance from 2025 second-round pick Chaz Lanier, who led all scorers with 25 points, knocking down seven of 12 from beyond the arc. Motor City Cruise standout Brice Williams contributed 18 points on 6-for-8 shooting, while two-way forward Isaac Jones added a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double. Ebuka Okorie, the 2026 No. 17 overall pick, tallied 14 points, along with six assists and seven steals.
Lanier’s efficiency and aggression stood out, especially after a 12-point output on 1-for-6 shooting from three in Thursday’s Vegas debut. The Pistons’ coaching staff encouraged him to attack more on Sunday, and he did not disappoint. He scorched the Cavaliers early, tallying 17 of Detroit’s first 20 points and jumping out to a hot start by opening with back-to-back 3-pointers and a layup to ignite the Pistons’ offense. After Brice Williams connected on a 3, Lanier scored the next nine points with three consecutive 3-pointers. The 24-year-old finished the opening quarter with 17 points, and he connected on five of six from three in the period before cooling off a bit, misfiring on his next three shots before salvaging his rhythm with a late third-quarter basket. He ultimately drained his seventh triple late in the fourth to push Detroit’s lead to 92-81.
Lanier’s performance was timely and indicative of the work he’s put into movement shooting this offseason as he prepares for a second season with the Pistons. After a team-high 20 points against the 76ers on Thursday, Okorie had a tougher afternoon Sunday. He finished with 14 points on 5-for-17 shooting while constantly being ridden by Cavaliers’ defenders and failing to convert several around-the-rim attempts. Yet Okorie’s defense was a bright spot, as he racked up seven steals, using quick hands and sharp anticipation to disrupt ballhandlers. Through two games, he has nine steals, and the Pistons believe his ability to apply relentless full-court pressure can translate well to the NBA level. Sunday’s performance underscored why Detroit remains high on Okorie as a disruptive defensive catalyst.
In addition to Lanier and Okorie, Williams was a crucial contributor on Sunday. The former Nebraska standout, who spent last season with the Motor City Cruise, averaged 14.7 points per game in college and joined the Pistons’ summer squad with the aim of expanding his shooting touch. He finished 6-for-8 from three, all on 3-pointers, and totaled 18 points, including a stronger rhythm in the second quarter. Williams’ scoring, especially from beyond the arc, helped balance Detroit’s attack and provided the Pistons with another efficient perimeter option alongside Lanier.
Overall, the Pistons’ win reflected a balanced performance across multiple players, with Lanier providing the early punch and shooting range, Williams offering efficient perimeter scoring, Jones delivering a double-double effort on the glass and production, and Okorie contributing defensively with steals and disruptive pressure. The team will look to build on this showing as they head deeper into the Summer League schedule, hoping to translate the positive momentum and individual development on display Sunday into consistent performances in upcoming games.