Pistons guard Marcus Sasser was more than instrumental in Detroit’s road victory in Los Angeles
Pistons guard Marcus Sasser has taken some time to regain his form since returning from a right hip injury to open the 2025-26 season, but the third-year playmaker turned in his best performance of the year in Detroit’s 128-106 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Entering the road contest, the Pistons were without the services of Caris LeVert as the veteran guard was ruled out due to a knee injury, and Detroit opted to utilize Sasser in his place on the second unit. That move proved to not only work out in the Pistons’ favor– it’s a move that perhaps won Detroit the game.
In the second half, the Lakers were creeping around as Luka Doncic kept gradually adding to his eventual 30-point total. The Pistons needed a spark from somewhere, and Sasser turned up prepared to knock down a couple big three-point shots in the second half of a 19-point, five-assist game for the speedy reserve guard.
“He just brings a spark every time he gets on the court,” Pistons guard Cade Cunningham said of Sasser. “I mean, he’s just a dawg. He fought his way back to the court with the injury he’s been dealing with for a while, just a dawg. Tough mindset, tough player, hard-nosed, great scorer, great shiftiness and a great spark every time he goes out there.”
Cunningham was effusive in his praise for the Houston product who went 4-for-6 from long range against the Lakers. Along with Sasser, the Pistons enjoyed a big boost from the defensive presence of Ron Holland, Javonte Green and Isaiah Stewart in the latter stages of the 22-point win. Detroit’s second unit was counted on to get stops and help shift the momentum back in the Pistons’ direction, and Sasser helped that group accomplish the task at hand.
Once Cunningham took back over for Sasser in the fourth quarter, the Pistons had a comfortable lead and were able to coast to a big victory in the team’s final game of the 2025 calendar year. Cunningham finished the game with 27 points and 11 assists, but those are the types of numbers that Pistons fans have come to expect from the team’s All-Star point guard. Sasser’s performance was a bit more novel, and it may have made all the difference against a dangerous Lakers outfit.
The Pistons will end the year in first place in the Eastern Conference at 25-8. Next up, Detroit will host the Miami Heat for a New Years Day matchup that is scheduled for 7 pm.
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