Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham shared his admiration for the city and its fans during a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
“This is like the most passionate city I think you can find sports-wise, for sure,” the 23-year-old guard said, via ClutchPoints. “I think we have the iciest, best-looking city too. You come to a Pistons game, everybody is dressed well, they cheer hard. It’s different.”
Cunningham has emerged as the face of the Pistons, averaging 26.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 9.1 assists in 70 games during the 2024–25 season. His performance helped Detroit achieve a 30-win improvement, finishing 44–38 and securing the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference.
The young guard made franchise history with multiple triple-doubles this season. He recorded seven triple-doubles, surpassing Isiah Thomas for the most 15-assist triple-doubles in Pistons history and tying Grant Hill’s record for consecutive triple-doubles.
In the postseason, Cunningham delivered a triple-double in Game 4 against the New York Knicks, marking the third triple-double in Pistons playoff history. He finished the playoffs averaging 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists, despite Detroit losing the series in six games.
Cunningham’s on-court chemistry with teammates has been a key factor in the team’s turnaround. His leadership and consistency have drawn comparisons to past Pistons greats, while his development earned him a spot as a finalist for the NBA Most Improved Player Award.
Signed to a five-year, $224 million extension in July 2024, Cunningham remains committed to building Detroit into a championship contender. He praised the fan base for its energy and loyalty, noting the difference it makes for the team.
“Being here, feeling that support every night, it’s special,” Cunningham said. “I think that connection between the fans and the team is something unique to Detroit.”
