Las Vegas — In the leadup to the Pistons’ opener in Summer League late Thursday night, there was as much interest in the starting lineup as the outcome of the game.
Fans were holding out hope the core players, including Cade Cunningham and Saddiq Bey, would be in uniform and showing a glimpse of what the regular-season starters could look like.
It didn’t happen.
Pistons rookies Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren made their debuts, and they were joined in the starting lineup by Killian Hayes, Isaiah Stewart and Isaiah Livers. That was more than enough firepower to help the Pistons take an 81-78 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday morning at Thomas & Mack Center.