Despite trailing by 12 in the first quarter and falling behind by eight with 11:32 remaining in the fourth, the Detroit Pistons fought back. During that stretch, they outscored the Miami Heat 28-17 to secure a 116-113 victory in front of a national audience, showcasing their brand of basketball. All five starters scored in double figures, while Malik Beasley added 16 points, knocking down five three-pointers.
Leading the charge was Cade Cunningham, who delivered yet another statement performance. In 35 minutes, he recorded his ninth triple-double of the season, finishing with 25 points, 11 assists, and 12 rebounds. Cunningham shot 11-of-25 from the field and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, including a clutch game-winner that gave the Pistons their largest lead. Since his rookie max extension, Cunningham has silenced doubts, exceeded expectations, and helped rise the Pistons to becoming a must-see team.
With the season winding down, has Cunningham cemented himself among the NBA’s elite? Where will his name land when postseason awards and All-NBA teams are announced?
Cade Cunningham’s Rise Powers Pistons to National Spotlight
Cunningham’s Rise Has Proved The Doubters Wrong
When Cunningham signed his extension, some questioned whether he was worth it. Despite being the No. 1 pick and averaging 22.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 7.5 assists last season, critics wondered if he could be the focal point of a contending team. His struggles in the win column—just 32-106 in his first 138 games—combined with an injury history, fueled skepticism.
One person who never wavered was Pistons president Trajan Langdon, who built a roster to maximize Cunningham’s strengths. He added two knockdown shooters, Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr., along with the veteran presence of Tobias Harris, giving Cunningham more space to operate offensively. It also helps that he has two elite athletes, Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren, who turn even his off-target lobs into highlight-reel finishes.
End Of Season Awards?
Cunningham’s rise this season has cemented his place in the national spotlight. He earned his first All-Star selection and is officially in the mix for postseason awards. While the MVP race is realistically a two-person battle between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokić, Cunningham’s name could still appear on some ballots. More importantly, he deserves recognition for the season he’s having.
An All-NBA selection feels inevitable. The honest debate is which team he’ll land on. First-team consideration is ambitious, but second-team honors seem like a lock.
Cunningham is also the betting favorite to win Most Improved Player, especially with Norman Powell now ineligible due to a recent injury. Some may doubt his growth, but his stats prove he’s elevated from great to elite.
The Last Word
Cade Cunningham’s rise isn’t just a personal triumph—it’s a signal that the Detroit Pistons are no longer an afterthought. His leadership, resilience, and elite play have redefined expectations, proving that the franchise has a true cornerstone to build around.
While this season has been a breakout, it feels like just the beginning. With end-of-season accolades on the horizon and his name now mentioned among the league’s best, Cunningham is shaping the future—not just for himself, but for an entire city hungry for success.
The question isn’t whether Cunningham belongs among the NBA’s elite. It’s how far he’ll climb. And if this season is any indication, the best is yet to come.
Photo credit: © Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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