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Omari Sankofa: Speaking of Isaiah Stewart... I feel like a lot of people just watch the person from afar. They think, 'Oh, this guy is someone you don't want to mess with.' But I would start with Isaiah Stewart, who's really been their defensive backbone. I would say he's been one of the top rim protectors in the NBA, up there with guys like Rudy Gobert and Wemby, despite being smaller than those guys... But he really brings the intensity on the floor. The 'don't back down,' the 'don't take anything from anyone.' Obviously, he's a guy that has gone viral a few times for some of his actions, but for him, it's really just so much deeper than that. It's his everyday approach. He's just a warrior for the team doing all the dirty work... But like if you only knew him through your interactions with him in the building, you would not know that he has the reputation that he has because otherwise, I mean, he's the ultimate teammate. I think he's just the epitome of the guy who looks out for your team. But if he's on the other team, then God help you out there.
Omari Sankofa: "I think J.B. really came in and galvanized not just a roster, but the franchise as a whole. He came in... and from a personality standpoint, I think he's just really best with this group. The way he fires guys up... but behind the scenes, I think he just really, really clicked with guys like Duren, like Isaiah Stewart, like Cade Cunningham... It's reflected in just the approach the team has on the floor. The no-nonsense approach that they have now with J.B., that just shows just how much better of a fit he's been."
After a Nov. 14 win over the Philadelphia 76ers without Cunningham, Duren, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jaden Ivey and Marcus Sasser, Bickerstaff referred to his bunch as a group of “nasty dogs.” The nastiness they play with is fueled by the passion he paces the sideline with on a nightly basis. Isaiah Stewart, who could not hide his grin in the locker room after the win, gave Bickerstaff his credit for “being a dog, too.” “Having him, with his system, it fits Detroit basketball perfectly,” Stewart said.
Omari Sankofa II: Tobias Harris, Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren are all probable for tomorrow's home game vs Phoenix. And Cade Cunningham isn't listed on the injury report, meaning he's back from a two-game absence.
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Omari Sankofa II: Isaiah Stewart on his career-high 31 points: “I’m going to be honest, I didn’t think I’d touch 31 or 30 at this level just because of my role and the way that I play … my mindset tonight was just to be super aggressive and take good shots and try to propel us forward.”
Omari Sankofa II: FINAL: Pistons 108, Bulls 93. They outscored Chicago 32-16 in the fourth quarter, holding them to 6-18 (33.3%) shooting. Career night from Isaiah Stewart, who scored 31. Pistons prevail with Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Tobias Harris all out to improve to 28-9 overall.
Omari Sankofa II: JB on Stewart scoring 31: "It's his willingness to do what's right by the team and accept any role. He's done everything for us this season."
Omari Sankofa II: Asked JB about the Stewart-Reed starting frontcourt: “It allows Stew to roam the paint … while P Reed is capable of defending the perimeter and dealing with bigger guys there.” Acknowledged it has some spacing issues to figure out, but he liked their defensive intensity.
Omari Sankofa II: FINAL: Heat 118, Pistons 112. They rallied from a 22-point deficit but fell short. Cunningham: 31 points, 11 assists, 8 rebounds Sasser: 18 pts, 2 steals Stewart: 6 pts, 4 rebs, 5 blocks
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Omari Sankofa II: Stewart on the defensive slippage over the last week or two: "We haven't played to our standard on that end of the floor ... we have to look ourselves in the mirror and challenge ourselves, each and every one of us, to get better on that end."
Isaiah Stewart: The Earth is definitely not flat. And I've never seen a baby pigeon.
Todd Whitehead: Lowest FG% allowed as the closest defender on opponent shots in the paint this season.
Lowest FG% allowed as the closest defender on opponent shots in the paint this season. pic.twitter.com/2sSqKZoSUr
— Todd Whitehead (@CrumpledJumper) December 23, 2025
Omari Sankofa II: FINAL: Pistons 142, Hawks 115. Season-highs in points scored and win margin, dominated both ends. They improve to 20-5 overall. Eight players reached double figures, led by 17 points, five assists and five rebounds for Isaiah Stewart. Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren each had 15
