Washington Wizards vs Detroit Pistons

The Washington Wizards will face the Detroit Pistons on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. ET at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. This is a preseason matchup, giving both teams a final chance to test rotations, conditioning, and lineup chemistry before the regular season tips off. Coaches are expected to use this game to evaluate younger players and make final roster decisions ahead of opening night.

Washington comes into the game with several players unavailable. Bub Carrington has been ruled out due to left knee soreness after an awkward landing earlier in the week. Cam Whitmore is sidelined with an ankle injury, and AJ Johnson remains day-to-day with a leg issue. Bilal Coulibaly continues to recover from thumb surgery and is expected to miss the start of the regular season. These absences open the door for younger players such as Tre Johnson and Will Riley to see extended playing time. For Detroit Pistons, Jaden Ivey will miss the matchup after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery, which will keep him out for about a month. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff will likely turn to Marcus Sasser and Daniss Jenkins to cover backcourt minutes alongside Cade Cunningham.

Tactically, the Wizards’ staff is expected to simplify their approach, focusing on pick-and-roll execution, spacing, and consistent ball movement. Without key playmakers, Washington’s offense will revolve around CJ McCollum’s veteran leadership and the versatility of frontcourt players like Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George. The team may use more zone coverage and drop schemes on defense to protect the paint and limit transition points. Detroit, meanwhile, will prioritize tempo and inside-out play through Cunningham and Jalen Duren. With Ivey out, the Pistons are expected to emphasize half-court sets, off-ball movement, and efficient shot creation from Tobias Harris and Caris LeVert.

The media coverage leading up to the game has focused heavily on the Wizards’ injury list and how the absences could affect their readiness for the start of the season. Reporters have questioned whether Washington can build chemistry and maintain offensive rhythm with so many rotation changes. For Detroit, the narrative is more positive—despite Ivey’s absence, the Pistons are seen as being in a better position to field a complete lineup and build early-season cohesion. The press has described this game as a key test of Detroit’s depth and an opportunity for Washington’s young prospects to prove themselves under game conditions.

Studio analysts before tipoff are expected to concentrate on the impact of Ivey’s injury and Washington’s backcourt depth issues. Commentators will highlight how the Wizards’ younger guards handle extended minutes and whether Alex Sarr can continue to show defensive presence inside. For Detroit, analysts will discuss the importance of consistency from Cunningham and Harris as the team’s primary offensive drivers. The pregame shows will likely emphasize player evaluation over results, with most experts viewing the Pistons as slight favorites due to better roster health and stability. However, the Wizards’ energy and developmental focus could make the game more competitive than expected.