Over the past several games, Pistons point guard Daniss Jenkins is fully seizing each and every opportunity he's receiving in Cade Cunningham's absence. Scoring over 20 points one night before setting a new career-best with 12 assists the next, Jenkins is helping Detroit to its 9-game winning streak in dramatic fashion, and he's making a clear argument as to why he should be converted from his two-way deal to a standard NBA contract soon.

Jenkins took a longer road to get to the NBA, but perhaps that is why he's allowing this moment to truly sink in.

"You want to soak it all up and take it all in," Jenkins said after the Pistons nine-point win over the Bulls on Friday night. "But I don't know, man. I'm just trying to find my way. That's all I'm trying to do is trying to keep going and show what I've been knowing I'm capable of."

 Simply put, Jenkins has went through a rollercoaster of a week. Three games back, the Pistons were trailing by three points with two seconds left in the fourth quarter. Cunningham inbounded the ball, and Jenkins was called upon to knock down a clutch corner three-pointer to force overtime against the Washington Wizards. In that game, Jenkins set a new career-high scoring mark.

One game later, Jenkins moved into the starting role with Cunningham injured and unable to play, and Jenkins posted a double-double with a new career-best mark in assists. And then last night, Jenkins hit a half court buzzer-beater at the end of the third quarter in the midst of a 19-point, eight-assist effort in Detroit's second straight NBA Cup victory.  

"It's big time," Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said of Jenkins' play. "He's got belief in self that's at a high level without being an arrogant kid. He's an unbelievable person, but he's got an edge and he's got confidence in his own abilities. He's willing to match wits with anybody, and you know when you start talking trash to people, you better be prepared to back it up. And Daniss is prepared to back it up."

Bickerstaff Turns In Another Coach Of The Year Caliber Performance In NBA Cup Victory The Detroit Pistons are in 1st place in the Eastern Conference after their ninth straight win

Over the last three games, Jenkins is posting averages of 20.3 points, 7.7 assists, 5 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game, which would be an impressive pace for even an already established NBA vet. 

During last night's win over Philadelphia, Jenkins mixed it up with 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey at one point. Both players were talking back and forth during a timeout, and tensions were rising between Jenkins and Maxey, two players who both grew up in the Dallas area. 

"When I step in between them lines, all bets are off," Jenkins said. "You know what I mean? I just get lost in competing. That's all I do. That's what I'm about. That's who I am, and I keep saying I'm going to be true to me."

Now, Maxey had a much more direct route to the NBA than Jenkins had, and that may have added a bit of fuel to the fire that we saw on Friday night. Jenkins, when challenged, is not a player who is quick to back down. Jenkins is tenacious on defense, and he channels that aggressiveness and offense into a desire to get to his spot and make the right play for his team. 

READ MORE: Daniss Jenkins Guides Pistons To NBA Cup Victory, 9 Straight Wins Overall For Detroit

So far, that recipe has served Jenkins well as he's worked to earn Detroit's backup point guard position with Marcus Sasser still recovering from a right hip impingement. If Jenkins has taught us anything thus far, it's to not count him out, so it's no guarantee that Sasser reclaims his backup PG role upon his return with the way the second-year floor general has played lately.

Next up, the Pistons face the Indiana Pacers at home on Monday, Nov. 17 at 7:00 pm. 

For more information on the latest Detroit Pistons team or player news, follow @EricJRutter on X for continued basketball coverage.