Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein shrugged off his performance, saying it was the “same as every night,” but his coaches and teammates knew there was something different about him.
Maybe he was inspired by the criticism. Maybe it was the reported trade talks that suggested the team was shopping for a better rebounder. Or maybe he was motivated by the challenge of facing one of the most physically imposing players in the game. Whatever it was, it brought out the best in him on a night when his team needed nothing less.
Cauley-Stein produced one of his most impressive efforts of the season in a 112-102 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night at Golden 1 Center.