When the Detroit Pistons were desperate for someone to step up, Daniss Jenkins answered the call. Down five rotation players and trailing 112-102 with six minutes left, the Pistons mounted a furious 25-15 rally capped by Jenkins’ last-second three to force overtime. The Pistons eventually pulled out a 137-135 win over the Wizards — their ninth in eleven games .
For Jenkins, a two-way guard fighting for minutes, it was a full-circle moment. All offseason, questions lingered about who could stabilize the offense when Cade Cunningham sat. With the Pistons’ injuries opening the door , Jenkins seized his chance.
Coming off the best performance of his young career, the question now is simple: Can he do it again? Let’s dive in.
Daniss Jenkins Stepped Up When the Pistons Needed It Most
Jenkins’ Fearless Play Sparks Pistons
Jenkins played free and fearless — precisely what you want from a young guard thrown into the fire. He attacked the paint with confidence, using his quick first step to pressure the Wizards’ interior defense, while setting the tone defensively with active on-ball pressure.
His energy carried over to the glass, pulling down eight rebounds, including four on the offensive end — extra possessions that helped fuel the Pistons’ comeback. From deep, Jenkins caught fire, knocking down four of his six attempts from three. Without his shooting, the Pistons would’ve gone just 9-of-35 from beyond the arc.
When the Pistons needed a secondary scorer to rise behind Cunningham’s absence, Jenkins answered the call — and may have just earned himself a longer look in the rotation.
Built Through the Grind
While Jenkins’ breakout might have surprised casual fans, it didn’t catch anyone inside the organization off guard. He’s been doing this with the Motor City Cruise, averaging 18.5 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.5 rebounds while adding 1.4 steals per game on defense last season.
Those G League reps weren’t just stat-padding — they were proving grounds. The Cruise consistently put Jenkins in late-game situations where he had to create under pressure, make reads, and defend at a high level. That experience shows.
The adage goes, “Stay ready so you won’t have to get ready.” Jenkins embodied that mindset — and when his moment came, he looked like someone who’d been ready all along.
The Last Word
For Daniss Jenkins, this wasn’t just a breakout game — it was a statement. Every possession screamed preparation, every shot reflected confidence built from long nights in empty gyms and long bus rides in the G League. He didn’t stumble into the moment; he earned it.
The Detroit Pistons have built their identity on grit, resilience, and opportunity — values Jenkins embodies perfectly. His performance wasn’t just a spark in an injury-riddled stretch; it was proof that the Pistons’ next-man-up mentality is more than a slogan. It’s a standard.
As the roster gets healthy and rotations tighten, Jenkins’ spot isn’t guaranteed. But Monday night showed something that box scores can’t measure — composure, belief, and readiness. Those are traits every winning team needs, and Jenkins has them in full supply. The Pistons don’t just find players. It forges them. And if this was any indication, Jenkins might be the next one to rise from the grind and make his mark on the Motor City.
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