The Detroit Pistons swept the New York Knicks with an MVP-caliber performance by star Cade Cunningham.
The Detroit Pistons were shorthanded heading into their contest at Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks. Without Jalen Duren or Isaiah Stewart, the Pistons had to rely on their All-Star point guard on their first game back from the All-Star Break. And Cade Cunningham certainly delivered in a stunning 42-point performance that catapulted Detroit to a 126-111 victory and solidified his MVP case on Thursday night.
Cunningham nearly had a triple-double with 42 points, 13 assists, and eight rebounds on the night. Despite two stars serving suspensions from their involvement in a brawl with the Charlotte Hornets, Cunningham ensured their absence wouldn’t stop them from a decisive 15-point win and a sweep of the Knicks. He went 17-for-34 on field goals and added two blocks and one steal to his dominant night in New York. Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff spoke postgame about how it isn’t just one performance, but Cunningham’s overall body of work that makes his case.
Here is the full story from Pistons Roundtable writer Eric Rutter on Cunningham’s electric night at MSG.
It was a statement game for Detroit all-around, as they held one of the best 3-point shooting teams to a mere 8-of-35 on the night – including a stretch where the Knicks missed 15 straight attempts. But Cunningham led the charge despite being blanketed by every defender possible in New York. The Pistons now lead the NBA with a 41-13 record and a 5.5 lead in the Eastern Conference standings. The 41st win was a special one for both the team and Cunningham.