Marcus Sasser took advantage of extended playing time for his highest scoring output since New Year’s Day. The Pistons guard scored 16 points in a 126-110 win over Memphis on Friday.
Sasser has been starting with Ausar Thompson sidelined by a right ankle sprain.
“Again, this isn’t new or a surprise. It’s just opportunity,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “I give Sass a ton of credit because he’s always ready when his number is called. He works to be prepared for the moment. He’s an NBA basketball player, that’s clear. It’s just about the opportunities for him, and he’s getting them now, and he takes advantage of them like he always does. But he’s a dogged defender, he’s another ball handler, [a] play maker. Obviously, his ability to shoot the basketball. How he can space the floor for us. Again, he’s a good player whose opportunity numbers have just kind of not bounced his way. But the more exposure he gets the more opportunities he gets, and we’ll continue to give him chances.”
Sasser is signed through next season. The team exercised a $5,198,983 club option on his contract for 2026/27 in October.
Here’s more on the Pistons:
- They’ve won three straight after a season-worst four-game losing streak. They also defeated the Nets and the injury-riddled Sixers this week. “It’s no secret that we went on a little run. We were losing games in the stint, but coach told us to stay together throughout all this,” reserve wing Ron Holland said. “We had a lot of success throughout the season so far. I mean, we weren’t getting big-headed or anything, but every team goes through [losing streaks] in the NBA. So, he was just telling us to stay together, to keep running the course and everything will be fine. We’re back on track now, so hopefully we can stay rolling.”
- Holland continues to struggle from deep — he’s made just 15.8 percent of his 3-point tries this month — but he’s still been an offensive threat during the winning streak. He’s averaging 14.3 over the last three games. “I love watching Ron on and off the court. Just his work ethic,” Bickerstaff said. “There are not many guys that are in the gym working as hard as Ron is working on his game, his want to get better, his commitment to this team, his willingness to sacrifice for this team. But then on court, he’s understanding where his spots come and how he can be even more impactful on both ends of the floor where his strengths lie. And then he understands the moment, too. We’ve seen our team not have the energy, or be on the downswing, and then we put Ron in the game and he comes in with that energy to be instantly impactful. And that means a lot to us.”
- Trade deadline acquisition Kevin Huerter has averaged 21 minutes over the last six games. He’s posted double digits in his last two outings — 12 points against the Sixers and 11 against the Grizzlies. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent after the season.