Cade Cunningham Shines Amid Pistons’ Close Playoff Loss

DETROIT (AP) — Despite his lack of playoff experience, Cade Cunningham has stepped up for the Detroit Pistons in the postseason. After winning Game 2 on the road, the Pistons returned home to face the New York Knicks in Game 3, where they narrowly lost 118-116.

Cunningham showcased his skills again in front of the Detroit crowd, contributing a well-rounded performance with 24 points, seven rebounds, 11 assists, four steals, and two blocks. His efforts, however, were not enough to secure a victory for the Pistons, who are now down 2-1 in the playoff series.

Though other players had off nights, Cunningham took the lead, filling the entire box score. His performance positioned him among legends, making him the third active player to achieve such a stat line in a playoff game, joining the ranks of LeBron James and Russell Westbrook.

The 2025 season marked a breakthrough for Cunningham, who has averaged 26.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game throughout the series. His impressive regular-season performance, where he was compared to elite players such as Oscar Robertson and Luka Doncic, has made him a rising star in the league.

“All these things are making us a better team and I think it’s going to make us better to go win this series,” Cunningham said reflecting on his team’s growth.

Coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised Cunningham’s ability to control the game saying, “We’ve seen Cade be able to get where he wants to get to and do what he needs to do.”

With a critical Game 4 looming on Sunday at Little Caesars Arena, the Pistons will need Cunningham’s strong play more than ever to even the series before heading back to Madison Square Garden.