DETROIT -- Cade Cunningham showcased his talent with a stunning performance on January 31, 2025, leading the Detroit Pistons to a decisive 117-102 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Just one day after being named as an All-Star reserve, Cunningham scored 40 points, tying his season high and adding six rebounds and four assists.
The game marked the end of a three-game losing streak for the Pistons, who are beginning to find their footing as the season progresses. Cunningham's efficiency was notable—he hit 17 of 30 shots from the field and fell just short of matching his career-best scoring performance of 43 points.
“It feels amazing to be back playing like this, especially after the recognition as an All-Star,” Cunningham expressed. His scoring included eight of his 16 third-quarter points coming during the final 2:42 of the period, when he almost single-handedly kept the Pistons afloat with his shooting prowess.
Supporting Cunningham, Tobias Harris contributed 17 points, and Jalen Duren recorded a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds. For the Mavericks, Kyrie Irving led the charge with 28 points, trying to fill the void left by the absent Luka Doncic. P.J. Washington also put on a strong showing, adding 22 points and 13 rebounds to the Mavericks' efforts.
Despite Irving’s rally, Dallas found itself struggling to keep pace after narrowing the deficit to 93-91, just before the Pistons responded with a decisive 10-2 run, even with Cunningham resting on the bench.
At the press conference following the game, Pistons coach Monty Williams praised his team's hustle. “We fought hard on both ends of the floor,” he said. “We were aggressive on the rebounds and made key plays when it mattered most.” Detroit capitalized on key second-chance opportunities, finishing with a dominant edge of 16-6 over the Mavericks.
The Mavericks continue to face challenges as their star player, Luka Doncic, remains sidelined due to the calf injury he sustained on Christmas Day. Doncic has averaged 36.1 points per game against the Pistons, and his absence was felt deeply throughout the game. Dallas has struggled without him, and their depth is being tested.
With Doncic out, Dallas also missed the services of Dwight Powell and Maxi Kleber, both injured, along with Dereck Lively who is dealing with an ankle issue.
Looking to the upcoming games, the Mavericks are set to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Pistons will host the Chicago Bulls. Both teams are searching for consistency as the season progresses.
For Detroit, the win was much-needed and provided a moment of celebration for both the players and coaching staff. The ownership situation is also shifting, with Pistons owner Tom Gores reportedly leading efforts to secure a WNBA expansion team, aiming for the return of Detroit’s long-lost franchise, the Detroit Shock.
Each team's performance significantly hinges on injury management and player fitness as they navigate through the challenges of the NBA season.
Every aspect of the game highlighted Detroit's resilience and Cunningham's emergence as a leader, painting an optimistic picture for the Pistons moving forward. Fans are eagerly watching this season's developments as the Pistons aim to climb the standings, fueled by the highs of Cunningham's recent exploits.