Cade Cunningham Leads Pistons to Crucial Win over Knicks

DETROIT (AP) — Cade Cunningham delivered a game-high 36 points, leading the Detroit Pistons to a 115-106 comeback victory over the New York Knicks on Thursday night at Little Caesars Arena. This win marks a significant boost for the Pistons as they prepare for the upcoming playoffs.

Cunningham’s stellar performance included 16-of-24 shooting and eight assists, showcasing his control over the game’s pace. He demonstrated versatility in scoring, effectively penetrating the paint and hitting from midrange. “I just wanted to get us back in the game, we came out slow but we found a rhythm,” Cunningham said after the game.

In addition to Cunningham’s efforts, Jalen Duren contributed with a perfect shooting night, going 9-of-9 from the field to finish with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Tobias Harris also added 17 points, reinforcing his status as a reliable two-way player. The Pistons’ bench provided critical support, with Ron Holland II scoring 13 points in just over 21 minutes.

Despite their triumph, the Knicks struggled to keep pace in the second half. Karl-Anthony Towns scored 25 points but turned the ball over seven times, which hampered New York’s offensive efforts. Precious Achiuwa added 18 points and 10 rebounds but could not propel the Knicks to a win, leaving them with a 0-8 record against the top two teams in the Eastern Conference.

“We started well, but turnovers and lapses on defense cost us,” said Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau. “It’s something we need to correct before the playoffs. We can’t afford to have those issues.”

This victory secures the Pistons the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, marking their first postseason appearance since 2019. The team is looking to build on this momentum as they head into the playoffs, where they will face strong competition.

Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks clinched the No. 5 seed with a 125-119 win over the Pistons on Friday. Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 32 points, securing his 11th triple-double of the season, a career high.

The NBA regular season is wrapping up with playoff matchups being finalized, and teams are looking to solidify their positions ahead of the postseason. With performances like Cunningham’s, the Pistons appear ready to make an impact.