Isaiah Stewart delivered one of the bluntest sound bites of the Philadelphia 76ers’ season, saying the Sixers “laid down” once the Detroit Pistons turned up the pressure in November 14’s 114-105 NBA Cup win at Little Caesars Arena, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. The comment came after Detroit erased a double-digit second-half deficit despite being without multiple starters.
The short-handed Pistons improved to 11-2 overall and 2-0 in East Group B, while the Sixers dropped to 7-5 and 0-2 in the tournament. Tyrese Maxey scored 31 points in the loss, but it was Stewart’s assessment of Philly’s toughness that stole the postgame conversation.
Isaiah Stewart Says Sixers ‘Laid Down’ After Pistons Turn Up the Pressure
Asked about Detroit’s late-third-quarter push by Keith Pompey of the PI, Stewart didn’t sugarcoat what he saw from the Sixers.
“We applied a little more pressure. Keep applying that pressure, and they laid down for us,” Stewart said, summing up the Pistons’ mindset during the comeback.
The remark landed harder because of the context. Detroit was missing Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson and Tobias Harris, among others, yet still outmuscled a Sixers team that once led by double digits in the second half.
The game was chippy throughout. Daniss Jenkins drilled a 54-foot heave at the third-quarter buzzer and sprinted toward the Sixers’ bench, jawing at Philly players after capping the momentum swing. Detroit’s physicality and trash talk clearly rattled a Sixers group already thin due to injuries.
What Stewart’s Jab Means for the Sixers’ Toughness
Stewart’s “laid down” line echoed what Maxey himself hinted at. The All-Star guard admitted the Sixers didn’t respond well once Detroit made its push, saying they needed to be more physical and “mentally tougher” when opponents go on runs.
Head coach Nick Nurse focused on the squandered opportunity. He pointed to the double-digit second-half lead as the real story, not just who Detroit had available, underscoring that Philadelphia had every chance to put away a team missing its All-NBA point guard and several starters.
For a fan base already frustrated by inconsistency and health issues, being painted as a team that “lays down” when hit in the mouth is a brutal narrative. Stewart’s swipe turns what was already a bad NBA Cup loss into a referendum on the Sixers’ identity without Joel Embiid and Paul George.
Stats, Injuries & NBA Cup Context From Pistons–Sixers
Friday’s loss piled on to a growing list of concerns for Philadelphia:
- Final score: Pistons 114, Sixers 105.
- Records: Detroit moves to 11-2 (2-0 in East Group B), Philadelphia falls to 7-5 (0-2 in group play).
- Sixers scoring: Maxey led Philly with 31 points, but efficiency and late-game offense collapsed in a 15-point fourth quarter.
- Pistons scoring: Javonte Green scored 21, Daniss Jenkins added 19, and Stewart chipped in double figures while backing up his postgame talk.
- Barlow’s return: Dominick Barlow provided a major spark with 10 points, eight rebounds (five offensive), three assists and two blocks, strengthening his case to stay in the starting lineup.
Injuries remain a huge part of the story. Embiid sat again due to ongoing knee management, Paul George has yet to debut, and Kelly Oubre Jr. exited with a hyperextended left knee and is set for an MRI. Meanwhile, Detroit was also severely undermanned, which is part of why this loss stings so much for the Sixers.
If Philadelphia turns things around, Stewart’s “they laid down for us” line might end up as bulletin-board material. For now, it’s a harsh snapshot of how at least one opponent views the Sixers when the game gets ugly.
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