Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham voiced his disappointment following a narrow 116-113 loss to the New York Knicks in Game 6, a defeat that ended the franchise’s first playoff appearance since 2019.
“We felt good about this series, so to not pull it out hurts,” Cunningham said postgame. “That feeling will stick with us throughout the summer—in our workouts, conversations, everything. We’ll be back and better.”
The Pistons led by seven late in the fourth quarter but failed to close out the game as Jalen Brunson scored a game-high 40 points, including a decisive step-back three with 4.3 seconds left.
Cunningham, who posted 23 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds, went 0-for-8 from three-point range and missed a potential go-ahead layup with under 30 seconds remaining.
He acknowledged the Knicks’ late-game execution, citing Detroit’s second-chance mistakes and missed opportunities down the stretch.
“They made a couple tough shots and we gave them second chances by not coming up with the ball,” Cunningham explained. “And then we missed some shots. All of those things let them back in.”
Despite being one of the youngest squads in the postseason, the Pistons pushed the three-seed Knicks to six games, with every contest decided by single digits.
Cunningham rejected the notion that inexperience cost them the series.
“I didn’t feel like we were too inexperienced to win,” he said. “It came down to little things—not executing details we wanted to execute.”
Detroit finished the season with a remarkable turnaround, climbing from just 14 wins last year to a playoff berth under head coach JB Bickerstaff.
Cunningham credited Bickerstaff’s leadership and basketball acumen for the team’s growth.
“He inspired us every day,” Cunningham said. “We wanted to succeed for him every night. Couldn’t ask for a better coach—someone that believes in you and pushes you.”
When asked about the biggest difference between the playoffs and regular season, Cunningham pointed to the heightened intensity and precision required in postseason play.
“Every possession means a lot more,” he said. “You have to do everything stronger, faster, and more together.”
Reflecting on what he learned, the 23-year-old emphasized the importance of valuing each possession.
“There’s so many plays I wish I could get back,” he said. “Those are the ones that cost you in playoff basketball.”
Looking ahead, Cunningham said the Pistons proved something important—both to themselves and to the league.
“We showed we belong,” he said. “When teams come play Detroit, it’s going to be a dogfight. We’re going to keep coming.”
New York now advances to face the Boston Celtics in the second round.
