Detroit — Rex Kalamian entered the locker room to give his postgame speech after a surprising 126-116 win over the Utah Jazz on Monday night at Little Caesars Arena.
As he neared the center of the locker room, Kalamian clapped, preparing his congratulatory words. The other assistant coaches stopped short, almost as if they knew what was coming next. Some of the players started grabbing water bottles, and before Kalamian could get a word out, the players doused him with water bottles, celebrating his first win as acting head coach.
It was a moment of euphoria, a rarity for a Pistons team that has struggled this season, with only nine wins in the first 39 games.