Detroit’s latest slump continues with a loss to the Wizards

» Russell Westbrook had 19 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists, and the Washington Wizards completed a 10692 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night after All-Star guard Bradley Beal’s injury-shortened outing.

Beal had 17 points in 21 minutes before the NBA’s leading scorer departed early in the third quarter with a bruised hip after starting the game with a sore right foot.

“I’ve been around a lot of guys that can bounce back, and he might be one of the best ones,” Wizards coach Scott Brooks said of Beal’s prognosis. “We’ll see how he feels tomorrow and then make the decision come next game.”

Washington nearly gave back a 30-point lead after Beal left. But Westbrook’s NBA-best 15th triple-double helped the Wizards secure just their second win in 10 games since the AllStar break.

Rui Hachimura added 14 points and Daniel Gafford had 13 in his debut for the Wizards, who began the night in 13th place, four games back of Chicago for the 10th and final Eastern Conference play-in spot.

“He brought a good energy today,” Hachimura said of Gafford, his fellow second-year pro. “We kind of need a guy like that.”

Wayne Ellington scored 15 points for the last-place Pistons, who have lost four in a row and 14 of their last 18. They also lost a starter in the third, when Jerami Grant departed with a thigh bruise.

Detroit shot 38.8% from the floor and committed 19 turnovers.

Beal picked up his injury late in the second quarter on an awkward fall after driving and charging into Detroit’s Saddiq Bey. He remained in through halftime, but was removed with 8:57 to go in the third as Washington held a 7446 lead.

Detroit immediately responded with a 23-2 run to close the deficit to 7669, then eventually got the game within a single possession when Isaiah Stewart’s layup cut it to 82-79.

Detroit coach Dwane Casey said the Pistons’ effort level and focus were low in the first half.

“That was the message at halftime. I was proud the way the guys came back in the third quarter,” he said.

But Washington outscored Detroit 24-13 over the final 10:13, a stretch that included Westbrook’s last four assists.

The Pistons were without guard Rodney McGruder (right elbow sprain), G/F Hamidou Diallo (groin/ injury management) and G Dennis Smith Jr. (back soreness). Grant picked up a technical with 2:19 left in the first quarter.

The Pistons host Toronto today.