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LAS VEGAS – The Detroit Pistons suffered their second loss in three Summer League games on Monday, July 13, falling to the New York Knicks, 86-75.
Chaz Lanier led the team in scoring for the second game in a row; the 2025 second-round pick finished with 24 points while knocking down eight 3-pointers. 2026 first-rounder Ebuka Okorie added 14 points, six rebounds and four assists.
DEEP THOUGHTS: Detroit Pistons' search for shooting gets good omen from Chaz Lanier
The second-year wing lit up the scoreboard for the second day in a row, and might’ve earned the “Too Good For Summer League” label. At minimum, he has made a case for himself as the best shooter in Las Vegas this month, and a potential rotation player this season.
Lanier shot 8-for-12 from 3, bringing his two-day total to 15-for-24 (62.5%) after knocking down seven against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. He hit them in a variety of ways including catch-and-shoots, pindowns and stepbacks. Movement shooting has been a priority for him this offseason in workouts, and his work is showing.
Lanier rebounded from an underwhelming performance in the Pistons' opener Thursday, scoring 17 of their first 20 points Sunday against Cleveland (including five 3-pointers) and extending his hot streak by making his first four 3-pointers Monday against the Knicks.
It was the No. 17 overall pick’s third time in three games scoring in double figures, but his shooting percentages have suffered in the last two. Okorie shot just 5-for-18 (27.8%) Monday, after going 5-for-17 on Sunday.
He has followed the same process that enabled him to have a strong debut with 20 points on 8-for-16 shooting, but dealing with how teams have defended him since has brought struggles. Officials have allowed defenders to play him physically, neutralizing his speed and forcing tough shots in the paint.
Okorie has been looking for foul calls, but the referees haven’t bailed him out. At times, he has taken shots with questionable selection. But otherwise, he’s having nice moments as a playmaker and on defense. Monday, he found Lanier with a one-handed skip pass for a 3-pointer in the second quarter, after losing his defender with a hesitation dribble. His four assists and six rebounds both led the team.
The Pistons will conclude their scheduled Summer League slate on Wednesday (6 p.m., ESPNU )against the Phoenix Suns at Thomas & Mack Center, though they'll play one more game against a to-be-determined opponent this week. The Suns' Summer League squad features late first-round pick Koa Peat, out of Arizona.
[ MUST WATCH: Make "The Pistons Pulse" your go-to Pistons podcast, listen available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) or watch live on YouTube. ]
Contact Omari Sankofa II at [email protected]. Follow him on X and/or Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Chaz Lanier nukes Summer League again despite Pistons loss to Knicks
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Chaz Lanier led the team in scoring for the second game in a row; the 2025 second-round pick finished with 24 points while knocking down eight 3-pointers. 2026 first-rounder Ebuka Okorie added 14 points, six rebounds and four assists.
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DEEP THOUGHTS: Detroit Pistons' search for shooting gets good omen from Chaz Lanier
Chaz Lanier stays red hot
The second-year wing lit up the scoreboard for the second day in a row, and might’ve earned the “Too Good For Summer League” label. At minimum, he has made a case for himself as the best shooter in Las Vegas this month, and a potential rotation player this season.
Lanier shot 8-for-12 from 3, bringing his two-day total to 15-for-24 (62.5%) after knocking down seven against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. He hit them in a variety of ways including catch-and-shoots, pindowns and stepbacks. Movement shooting has been a priority for him this offseason in workouts, and his work is showing.
Lanier rebounded from an underwhelming performance in the Pistons' opener Thursday, scoring 17 of their first 20 points Sunday against Cleveland (including five 3-pointers) and extending his hot streak by making his first four 3-pointers Monday against the Knicks.
Ebuka Okorie adjusting to physicality
It was the No. 17 overall pick’s third time in three games scoring in double figures, but his shooting percentages have suffered in the last two. Okorie shot just 5-for-18 (27.8%) Monday, after going 5-for-17 on Sunday.
He has followed the same process that enabled him to have a strong debut with 20 points on 8-for-16 shooting, but dealing with how teams have defended him since has brought struggles. Officials have allowed defenders to play him physically, neutralizing his speed and forcing tough shots in the paint.
Okorie has been looking for foul calls, but the referees haven’t bailed him out. At times, he has taken shots with questionable selection. But otherwise, he’s having nice moments as a playmaker and on defense. Monday, he found Lanier with a one-handed skip pass for a 3-pointer in the second quarter, after losing his defender with a hesitation dribble. His four assists and six rebounds both led the team.
Next up for the Pistons: Phoenix Suns
The Pistons will conclude their scheduled Summer League slate on Wednesday (6 p.m., ESPNU )against the Phoenix Suns at Thomas & Mack Center, though they'll play one more game against a to-be-determined opponent this week. The Suns' Summer League squad features late first-round pick Koa Peat, out of Arizona.
[ MUST WATCH: Make "The Pistons Pulse" your go-to Pistons podcast, listen available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) or watch live on YouTube. ]
Contact Omari Sankofa II at [email protected]. Follow him on X and/or Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Chaz Lanier nukes Summer League again despite Pistons loss to Knicks
Continue reading...
