​Last night, the Detroit Pistons opened their Summer League slate with a tough 101-93 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. In that game, the Pistons got their first live-action glimpse of first-round pick Ebuka Okorie since the NBA Draft, and the Stanford guard looked ready to hang with pro pace from the start. Okorie totaled 20 points, one rebound, and four assists across 30 minutes, showing exactly what he’s been billed as—a self-creating playmaker who can generate his own shot quickly. He ran the offense on the floor, efficiently distributing the ball while also scoring at a solid clip, going 8-for-16 from the field including two three-pointers.
After the game, Okorie discussed how his Pistons debut went and what he plans to focus on going forward. “Just getting used to the rhythm of the game,” he said. “I haven’t really played 5-on-5 basketball since my college season ended, so just getting used to playing in games and becoming more comfortable up and down the floor.”
The 76ers defeated the Pistons 101-93 on Sunday in Las Vegas. Dante Maddox Jr. led Philadelphia with 21 points, adding four rebounds and four made threes.
Looking back at last season, Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff leaned on a heavy mix of ball handlers to keep Detroit versatile when Cade Cunningham needed a breather. Caris LeVert contributed as a secondary initiator, but he is no longer with the team after being traded to Milwaukee. Marcus Sasser also logged time at point guard when healthy, though a right hip impingement limited his minutes, and he will begin the 2026-27 season with a new team following his trade to Dallas. Daniss Jenkins emerged mid-year as a reliable option to spell Cunningham and is expected to play a similar role going forward.
Yet Okorie’s comfort in initiating his own offense last night raises questions about how the Pistons might deploy him alongside Cunningham in his rookie year. Detroit struggled late in the postseason when it came to players who could take control in iso situations and knock down tough shots, and Okorie clearly has the skill set to do just that.
In other news, NBA free agency has seen more movement for Detroit, including reports of Elijah Harkless signing a two-way deal, a development that could shape the team’s backcourt depth and versatility as they refine their roster for the upcoming season and beyond.