The Detroit Pistons stretched their winning streak to six games with a 148-143 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, fueled by a historic performance from Cade Cunningham.
The 23-year-old delivered a standout performance, scoring 38 points on 14-of-24 shooting, including seven three-pointers. He added seven rebounds, 12 assists, one steal and three blocks in a dominant all-around display. His impact was evident early, as he reached a first-half stat line matched by only one other player in the last decade.
By halftime, Cunningham had already totaled 29 points, five rebounds and 10 assists while hitting six of his eight attempts from beyond the arc. According to StatMuse, the only other player to post such numbers in a half over the past 10 seasons is newly acquired Los Angeles Laker Luka Doncic.
It was a statement performance from Cunningham, who continues to cement himself as one of the NBA’s brightest young stars.
The 6-foot-6 point guard’s leadership has been instrumental in the Pistons’ turnaround. With Sunday’s win, Detroit improved to 31-26, placing it sixth in the Eastern Conference and just two games shy of the fourth seed. The team has won eight of its last 10 games, flipping its season to secure a winning record.
During their six-game winning streak, the Pistons rank first in both points per game and assists per game, per the NBA’s website, with Cunningham at the center of their offensive resurgence.
The schedule ahead presents a challenge, with matchups against the Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets on the horizon. Whether Detroit can maintain its momentum remains to be seen, but one thing is certain — Cunningham is making the most of his first All-Star season.
Through 52 games, the former No. 1 pick is averaging 25.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 9.5 assists and one steal while shooting 36.3 percent from three. The Pistons are now in a position to secure their first playoff appearance since 2018-19 and their first with Cunningham leading the charge.
His 25.7 points per game rank 11th in the NBA, while his 494 total assists place him third, trailing only Trae Young (606) and Nikola Jokic (521). With an improved supporting cast and a newfound confidence, Cunningham has elevated his game to an elite level — giving the Pistons a legitimate chance to make noise in the postseason.
