Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff on 116-114 loss in overtime against Mavericks
J.B. Bickerstaff criticizes referee after Pistons’ 116-114 OT loss against Mavericks.
Dallas — During the initial team meeting ahead of training camp, coach J.B. Bickerstaff emphasized that the primary theme for the season would be controlling the chaos. He noted that last season, several of their losses occurred when the players allowed their emotions to take over.
Through the first quarter of the season, Bickerstaff observed that his players were effectively adhering to this theme. By living up to their motto, the Detroit Pistons overcame a ton of frustration Thursday night against the Dallas Mavericks, erasing an 18-point deficit.
BOX SCORE: Mavericks 116, Pistons 114 (OT)
It took an additional five minutes, but by the time the final buzzer sounded at American Airlines Center, the Pistons fell short in a 116-114 overtime loss.
“We had no choice but to lean on (our season motto),” Isaiah Stewart said. “There were a lot of things happening out there. There was a lot of frustration. We just had to focus on controlling the chaos. Not giving in to the extra stuff.”
The Pistons picked up three technical fouls, with Ausar Thompson receiving his first career ejection. His night came to an early end at the 5:09 mark of the second quarter. After being called for a foul on Mavericks guard Ryan Nembhard, Thompson tried to plead his case, but as he walked to the official, John Goble, it appeared he bumped the referee with his chest.
However, Bickerstaff and Thompson felt Goble initiated the contact. Thompson’s ejection ended what would have been a productive night, as he had recorded eight points on 3-of-7 shooting in eight minutes.
“This game is not about the referees. This was a highly contested game between two competitive teams with guys who laid it out on the line, but it needs to be addressed what happened out there on the floor tonight,” Bickerstaff said. “You had one guy who wanted to make the game about the referees, and that is not what this should have been. This was two teams competing their tails off, playing high-level basketball.”
Cade Cunningham received his technical foul three minutes following Thompson’s exit for arguing a call. He tried to plead his case at the start of halftime in a heated conversation. As Bickerstaff went to pull Cunningham away, he was assessed a technical.
“Our guys deserve better than that,” Bickerstaff said. “They earned the respect around this league, but this is something that needs to be addressed.”
Cunningham overcame a rough start, finishing with a team-high 29 points, to go along with 10 rebounds and nine assists. Jalen Duren recorded his 14th double-double of the season with 17 points and 13 rebounds. For the second consecutive game, the Pistons received massive production from their bench unit, recording 58 points.
Stewart led the unit with 14 points, seven rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Following a loose-ball foul on Mavericks forward Daniel Gafford, Stewart had a chance to win it at the free-throw line but went 1-of-2, which tied the game at 110.
After a missed game-winner by Klay Thompson, the Mavericks went on to outscore the Pistons 6-4 during the overtime period. Cooper Flagg scored a team-high 23 points and had 10 rebounds for the Mavericks, while Naji Marshall added 16 points.
Observations and notes
▶ Diving deeper into the bench: Due to an ejection and an injury, Bickerstaff was compelled to dig deeper into his bench. In the third quarter, he utilized a lineup consisting of Daniss Jenkins, Marcus Sasser, Ron Holland II, Javonte Green and Paul Reed.
The lineup played a crucial role in the Pistons’ comeback from a double-digit deficit, igniting a 23-7 run that began at the end of the period. Holland finished with 12 points and seven rebounds, while Jenkins added 11 points and four rebounds.
“The strength of this team is the depth. We can go to any given guy on any given night, and they can help us,” Bickerstaff said. “We came up a little bit short. But it speaks to the team’s character and the depth. Guys being prepared and ready to go.”
“He has winning intangibles. Things that don’t show up in the statsheet, he figures out a way to get those things done.”
Bickerstaff speaks on Javonte Green’s impact. #Pistons pic.twitter.com/8N6h8VZL28
— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) December 19, 2025
▶ Robinson exits with knee injury: Since a recent five-day break gave the Pistons a chance to get healthy, the team has not been hampered by injuries. However, at the start of the third quarter, Duncan Robinson sustained a knee injury. He limped to the locker room after a sub for Caris LeVert and did not return. He played 13 minutes, finishing with two points on 1-of-7 shooting.
▶ Anthony Davis returns for the Mavericks: After missing the previous game due to a calf injury, Anthony Davis made his return for the Mavericks. The timing was notable, especially since his name has been circulating in trade rumors, with the Pistons mentioned as a potential destination.
Perhaps it was rust from his absence, but the 10-time All-Star failed to make a strong case for the Pistons to part with any assets. He started the game by missing his first seven attempts and did not display the defensive potential that once made him one of the league’s top defenders during his time in New Orleans and Los Angeles. However, he shook off a slow start, finishing with 15 points on 7-of-18 shooting and 14 rebounds.
coty.davis@detroitnews.com
@cotydavis_24
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