Detroit Pistons: Bickerstaff Sees ‘Poise’ In Okorie’s Game-Winning Debut

On Monday night, Detroit Pistons rookie Ebuka Okorie had to wait for more than three quarters to make his preseason debut, but the former Stanford point guard was ready once his number was called. 

Just a few seconds after stepping onto the court, Okorie drilled a three-pointer to help Detroit’s comeback after the team trailed by 18 points at halftime. But with Okorie on the floor, the Pistons were able to track down the Phoenix Suns before the final buzzer sounded thanks to a clutch display of self-creation at the end of the game. 

With 10 seconds left, Okorie stood with the rock inside the center-court logo and darted to his left for a look at the rim as the game’s outcome hung in the balance. Fighting through traffic, Okorie produced a clutch lefty scoop to finish his game-winner at the rim while pushing the Pistons ahead with five seconds left for a 109-107 victory. 

From that point, Detroit’s defense forced one final miss from the Suns, and the 19-year old rook is left with a fairytale story to tell from his 10-minute cameo in the Pistons’ preseason opener. 

”He’s a good player,” Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said after practice Tuesday. “He’s highly intelligent. He understands the game. He can run a show having the ball in his hands. He can put people in the right spots. He’s tough and gritty defensively and emotionally, he always stays poised. You don’t see him doing the up and down, so I think that’s going to help him in his rookie year.”

In his first taste of preseason ball, Okorie posted seven points, one rebound, one assist and one steal on the night while finishing with a +7 net rating.  As it turned out, those were seven crucial points for Detroit given their last-second victory.

When Okorie was on the court with Daniss Jenkins last night, the Pistons showcased how their offense could look with multiple ball handlers during the 2026-27 campaign, which was a point of emphasis for Bickerstaff in the past. Earlier in the exhibition matchup, Ausar Thompson worked as a demonstrative creator for Detroit even when Cade Cunningham was on the floor, so that looks like another focal point for the squad this year. 

Since Jenkins entered the game before Okorie and logged nearly twice as much action against the Suns, it’s quite possible that the incumbent has an edge on the depth chart entering training camp. Still, Okorie is both speedy and shifty while navigating through small spaces, and his ability to finish through traffic at the end of his paint touches could pay dividends for the Pistons during the regular season. 

Bickerstaff mentioned that Okorie is ahead of the game in terms of his self-creation, so keep a close eye on his playing time as Detroit progresses through the preseason with a Saturday, Oct. 10 matchup against the Washington Wizards on the docket.