Duncan Robinson reacts to Detroit Pistons trade, what he sees on roster
Duncan Robinson reacts to joining the Detroit Pistons in free agency sign-and-trade from Miami Heat, Sunday, July 13, 2025 in Las Vegas.
The Detroit Pistons were handed their first loss in NBA Summer League on Tuesday, July 15, falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Las Vegas, 89-73.Â
They were held to just 38.1% overall shooting (24-for-63) and 28% from 3 (7-for-25), and also committed 21 turnovers. Ron Holland led the team with 22 points, six rebounds, six steals and seven turnovers on 6-for-12 shooting, Tolu Smith scored 16 points and grabbed six rebounds and rookie second-round pick Chaz Lanier added 12 points.Â
Daniss Jenkins also had a notable performance with 11 points and seven assists. Terrence Shannon Jr. led the Wolves with 24 points.Â
The Pistons are 2-1 in Summer League, and next play the Miami Heat on Thursday, July 17 (4 p.m., NBA TV).
Here’s what stood out from this game:
Ron Holland takes over in third quarter
The second-year forward had a quiet start to the game, entering halftime with just five points. Both buckets were tough makes, though — the first a one-handed finish through traffic, the second a midrange jumper after getting his feet set with a Eurostep-like move.
Holland proceeded to score 13 points in the third period, leading a run that brought the Pistons within 58-57 after they were outscored by 10 points in the second quarter. A steal and transition dunk cut the deficit to 48-47, and he was responsible for their final two buckets of the third — a right-handed layup after driving from behind the 3-point arc, and a stepback 3-pointer, his lone make on four attempts.
Another right-handed layup from Holland early in the fourth cut the deficit to 60-59, before the Wolves finally took control of the game for good. Beyond his scoring, including 9-for-10 at the foul line, Holland was very active defensively and in the passing lanes, responsible for six of the Pistons’ eight steals.Â
The only blight on Holland’s game was his playmaking, as he finished with seven turnovers and two assists. Otherwise, he was one of the best players on the floor for the third consecutive game.Â
Chaz Lanier hoisting 3s
The 37th overall pick in June’s draft knocked down four of his 12 attempts from 3 on Tuesday after going 4-for-11 from deep during their second game Sunday, July 13. He went 2-for-7 in the opener against the New York Knicks, July 9. He’s 10-for-30 (33%) on 3s, a good sign that’s he’s getting them up at a high clip.
Lanier hasn’t been able to get the rest of his game going, though. He was 4-for-14 overall on Tuesday (28.6%) after going 5-for-14 (35.7%) on Sunday and 4-for-11 (36.4%) during his debut. The Pistons’ loss to the Wolves was the first time Lanier didn’t play with former Tennessee teammate Zakai Zeigler, who sat after appearing in their first two games.Â
Tolu Smith maintains consistencyÂ
The 6-foot-11 big man has been one of the Pistons’ most productive players in summer league. Tuesday marked his third time in as many games scoring at least 15 points, and he’s shooting 14-for-27 overall (51.9%) thus far. He has also grabbed 29 rebounds, and is averaging just under a double-double per game.Â
Smith also has six blocks in Vegas. Unlike his first two games, he did most of his scoring at the line Tuesday against the Wolves by making 8 of 12 free throws.
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