All Hayes On Me

In the absence of Cade Cunningham, and even if his last outings had been marked by awkwardness, Killian Hayes seems to have passed a milestone in his young NBA career!

Author of a new boss game last night with 25 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds in the Pistons’ victory in overtime against Charlotte (141-134), the 21-year-old French leader confirmed that he was gaining confidence in the game. after game in his third season in the Big League.

“He is growing before our eyes”

Better, and as against the Mavericks on December 1, Hayes was even decisive at the end of the match, with 10 points in the last quarter and overtime, with in particular this 3-pointer after several feints against Terry Rozier, at just over a minute from the end of overtime, which definitively sealed Detroit’s victory in North Carolina.

“You have to keep faith in your work, and that’s what I did”he says inThe Athletic. “The shots are starting to fall in, and it’s thanks to the work I’ve done beforehand. I never gave up. I was never satisfied with what I had, I always continued to insist. »

Killian Hayes is also shooting 12 points, 7 assists and 3 rebounds, 42% on shots including 38% from 3-pointers (with 4 attempts per game) since November 11, the date of Cade Cunningham’s injury (who will not return this season). Now alone in the position of starting point guard, he begins to play more for his apple in attack, while continuing to be the best defender of his team on the outside positions.

“He does not progress at the pace that others want to impose on him, he goes at his own pace, his own speed”said Dwane Casey recently. “That’s how it works for young players. Everyone wants him to play like a veteran with ten years of experience behind him, but he’s only in his third year, right? That’s why it doesn’t surprise me. You just have to be patient. Unfortunately, this league doesn’t have a lot of patience, you have to win games. But it is growing before our eyes. »

“I enjoy the field”

If you want an action symbol of this change of course, you just have to review his 3-point shot in the corner less than 2 minutes from the end of regulation time.

Killian Hayes inherits the ball in the corner at the end of possession, he sends but his shot goes around the circle and comes out. On the offensive rebound, Isaiah Stewart cannot miss his point guard who raises his arms to the sky for a second chance. That he gets, and that he does not miss! Or that other 3-pointer with 3 minutes left in the game, with LaMelo Ball’s hand to his face and his Pistons at -3, but another filip under pressure.

“It was a bit like the game against Dallas, we were in front for a good part of the game and they came back in front. But we stuck together.” enjoyed Killian Hayes. “AB [Alec Burks] took in some big shots to put us back on the right track. We held up well defensively, against T-Roz who had a hot hand. And we get another victory in overtime, which shows our character. »

From start to finish, Killian Hayes was there. Bleeding from the start with 12 points at 5/8 in the first quarter, his career best for a first quarter, he was unfortunately held back by fouls, scooping his third just under five minutes from half. -time. But what could have derailed him in past seasons re-motivated him for the final sprint.

” I’m trying [d’obtenir un triple double] but JD [Jalen Duren] grabbed 19 rebounds on his own [sourire] ! But I feel good. I’m having fun on the pitch and the guys are shooting in. It was an attacking game, which we don’t necessarily want from a defensive point of view, but offensively, we have fun and we share the ball well. There is clearly a good understanding in the team. he concludes thus.