DETROIT โ Cade Cunningham has spearheaded an incredible revival for the Detroit Pistons, restoring some shine to a franchise with a history of championship glory but one that had lately seemed to fade from relevance. His standout performances this season have drawn comparisons with some of the NBAโs greatest, as he joins the likes of Oscar Robertson, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, and LeBron James. These seven players have all managed to average at least 25 points, nine assists, and six rebounds in a single season.
Cunninghamโs remarkable form has been pivotal to Detroitโs extraordinary surgeโa team that tripled its win tally from the previous complete season, a feat never before achieved in NBA history. But heโs not been the only factor in this transformation. Jalen Duren, now in his third season, reached new heights, while a trio of seasoned newcomers contributed both on the court and in the locker room. This is a team that had finished with the leagueโs worst record for the past two seasons.
As the sixth-seeded Pistons prepare to face the third-seeded New York Knicks in Game 4 on Sunday, they look to Cunningham not only to lead but to inspire a supporting cast capable of making key plays on both ends of the floor. This playoff run marks the Pistonsโ first since 2019, teaching the young guard and his team the importance of each possession and the potentially game-altering impact of minor mistakes.
โThese experiences are molding us into a stronger team, and I believe itโs what will help us win this series,โ said Cunningham.
However, Detroit faces a challenging history; theyโve dropped their last eight home playoff games, inching close to a record held by Philadelphia from 1968 to 1971. Another defeat would tie them to this unfortunate milestone and put them on the verge of elimination ahead of Game 5 in New York.
The Knicks anticipate a fierce contest from Detroit. โTheyโll definitely come out strong and aggressive,โ Knicks guard Josh Hart commented on Saturday.
Cunningham was instrumental in the Pistonsโ sole victory over the Knicks, scoring 33 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Yet in Games 1 and 3, which the Knicks took, he struggled to replicate that form, and his inconsistent teammates failed to pick up the slack. He recorded 21 points, 12 assists but missed 13 of 21 shots in the series opener.
In Game 3, Cunningham etched his name alongside James, Westbrook, and Rick Barry, becoming one of four players in playoff history to tally at least 24 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds, four steals, and two blocks in a game. However, his 15 missed shots and six turnovers marred his performance. Knicksโ OG Anunoby was a significant defensive obstacle for the Pistonsโ star, using his physicality and agility to impede him throughout the game.
Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, however, remains optimistic. โCade knows how to get to his spots and make impactful plays. We give credit to (Anunoby) for playing tough defense, but Iโm still confident in Cade,โ said Bickerstaff. For Detroit to even the series, Cunningham will need his teammates to capitalize on the opportunities he creates, particularly those from downtown.
Veteran guard Tim Hardaway Jr. was a beacon of hope for the Pistons, hitting a career-playoff high of seven 3-pointers and tying a Pistons record. Meanwhile, reliable shooter Malik Beasley struggled, connecting on only two of ten shots attempted beyond the arc, starkly contrasting his performance in the opening game and his regular season tally of a franchise-record 319 three-pointers.
Contrastingly, Tobias Harris posted 40 points across two matches at Madison Square Garden but was reduced to just five points back at Little Caesars Arena. The Knicks, on the other hand, demonstrated an impressive team performance that hadnโt been seen in New Yorkโs playoff records since 1972. Karl-Anthony Towns led with 31 points, closely followed by Jalen Brunson with 30, Anunoby with 22, and Mikal Bridges contributing 20 points.
Reflecting on Game 3, Bickerstaff remarked, โWhat really let us down was our defense more than our offensive execution.โ