The Detroit Pistons got embarrassed in Game 1 against the Milwaukee Bucks, but it could have been worse if it wasn’t for former Duke Basketball guard Luke Kennard.
To say the Detroit Pistons were overmatched in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Milwaukee Bucks would be an understatement.
The Pistons got clubbed 121-86 by the Bucks, but despite the 35 point massacre, it could have been worse if it wasn’t for the performance of Luke Kennard.
More from Ball Durham
- Duke basketball: The architect behind digital dominance
- Duke basketball prioritizing frontcourt prospects in 2025
- Duke basketball: Unmasking the hate for the Blue Devils
- Duke basketball: Countdown to Craziness lands another huge visitor
- Duke basketball fills final open scholarship
The former Duke shooting guard led the Pistons with 21 points in 28 minutes while adding four rebounds and two assists in the defeat.
Kennard made 8-of-14 from the field and 4-of-5 from 3-point range, while splitting a pair at the free throw line.
The second year player continued his hot shooting from the end of the regular season as he posted 15 points in the penultimate regular season game against the Memphis Grizzlies and 27 points in the finale against the New York Knicks.
On the season, Kennard averaged 9.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 43.8% from the field and 39.4% from 3-point range.
Luke Kennard was the No. 12 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons.
Kennard was one of the best and most efficient Pistons on the floor Sunday night, netting a -9 rating, which on the surface isn’t good, but compared to the starting five, a -9 for Kennard seems like a major victory.
Andre Drummond paced the way with a -45 rating, while Wayne Ellington was right behind him at -41.
Reggie Jackson finished Game 1 at -35, Bruce Brown was -25, and Thon Maker closed out the Pistons starting five at -16.
Kennard was tied with Ellington for the team high with 28 minutes.
The Detroit Pistons will try and respond in Game 2 which is scheduled for Wednesday, April 17, at 8:00pm ET from the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The game can be seen nationally on NBATV.