Preview: Wizards To Host One Seeded Pistons

Coming off a 125-117 defeat to the Golden State Warriors on March 16, 2026, the Washington Wizards are set to host the Detroit Pistons on the backend of a back-to-back on March 17, 2026. 

Detroit currently occupies the one seed in the Eastern Conference with a 48-19 record. However, Washington has played Detroit extremely close throughout the season, as Washington won in these teams' last meeting.

Detroit is led by MVP candidate Cade Cunningham, who has averaging 24.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 10.1 assists on 46.1% FG. Standing at 6-foot-8 as a point guard, Cunningham is an extremely difficult matchup for a majority of the league, as not a lot of guard defenders can match his height and size. 

However, Washington has a guy in Bilal Coulibaly who matches up extremely nicely against Cunningham, and I fully expect to see this match-up tonight.

Coulibaly is having one of the best stretches of his career, as in the month of March (8 games), he is averaging 15.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists with 1.6 stocks on 42.9% FG and 39.5% 3FG. The former first round pick is actually playing like a first round pick, and it's extremely encouraging to see, especially since Coulibaly is only 21 years old. With his long and lanky frame, I expect to see Coulibaly guard Cunningham for a duration of the game as he can cause disruption to Detroit's offense. 

Washington will also look to rely on rookie Will Riley once again tonight, as the 6-foot-9 wing has cemented himself as not only one of the best rookies in the NBA, but as one of Washington's best players. In his last 20 games, Riley is averaging 14.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists on 45.9/37.1/78.3 shooting splits. Riley is doing all of this in only 29.1 minutes a game, which is crazy to think about from a rookie who was drafted in the early twenties. 

Washington will (likely) be without guard Trae Young tonight, as he exited last nights game in the third quarter after suffering a leg injury. Washington will also continue to be without sophomore forward Kyshawn George who is recovering from an elbow injury. 

With only 15 games remaining in Washington's regular season, they will look to play their young talent an extended amount as they are trying to get the most favorable draft lottery position. Washington is only 1.5 games back from the Indiana Pacers for having the worst record in the association. 

Tip-off set for 7:00 PM ET at Capital One Arena.