A former Tennessee star went on a serious heater Wednesday night in Detroit.

DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons sent rookie guard Chaz Lanier down to the NBA G League to get game reps and stay fresh, and the former Tennessee star looked awfully fresh in his debut.

Lanier scored 40 points in the Motor City Cruise’s 129-121 loss to the Cleveland Charge on Wednesday night.

The 6-foot-4 Lanier, who remains very much of the Pistons’ long-term plan, shot 12-of-17 from the field and 9-of-13 from three-point range.

40 PTS 💥 12/17 FG 💥 9/13 3PT

A FORTY-PIECE IN HIS G LEAGUE DEBUT! @detroitpistons rookie Chaz Lanier went nuclear in his first game with the @motorcitycruise. pic.twitter.com/5i5CfMoy0u

— NBA G League (@nbagleague) December 11, 2025

Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff described Lanier’s stint in the G League was a temporary thing borne out of necessity, because the sharpshooter hasn’t gotten many opportunities on the floor. He’s played in 13 of the Pistons’ 24 games, averaging 3.3 points, 1.1 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 10.2 minutes per game.

“Chaz has been great,” Bickerstaff told Detroit media on Wednesday. “You know, again, it’s a numbers thing with Chaz. But there’s not been one guy that we’ve put on the floor this year that hasn’t helped us win a basketball game … Chaz has helped us. When he’s on the floor, he makes shots. He understands, offensively, where to be, how to get his shots, how to be an outlet. He understands early how to play with superstars and talented players and make their job easier. So, it’s just a numbers game right now for him, and this is just an opportunity for him to go and get some reps.

“But there’s nothing that says to me that Chaz doesn’t fit, and I think he’s done a great job when he’s gotten his opportunities.”

Minutes have been hard for Lanier to earn on a resurgent Pistons’ roster this season. Detroit’s 19-5 record is the best in the Eastern Conference and the second best in the NBA, trailing only the reigning-champion, 24-1 Oklahoma City Thunder. The Pistons have a two-game lead over the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference and a 5.5-game lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Central Division.

Former Tennessee star Tobias Harris is also on the Pistons’ roster, and he’s averaged 14.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.