Cade Cunningham delivered one of the season’s most complete performances Thursday, scoring 42 points and adding 13 assists to lead the Detroit Pistons to a 126-111 win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The victory pushed Detroit to 40-13, maintaining its top spot in the Eastern Conference and marking a perfect 3-0 record against New York this season.
The Pistons overcame an early 9-2 deficit with a 21-8 run, fueled by Cunningham’s aggressive drives and precise kick-outs, helping Detroit shoot 52% from the field and 43% from beyond the arc. Cunningham also grabbed eight rebounds and logged 38 minutes, guiding his team with consistent playmaking.
Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised Cunningham after the game, calling him a “superstar” and highlighting his impact on both ends of the floor. “He guards the other team’s best perimeter player. Offensively, the ball is in his hands and his usage rate is through the roof. He never says no and he never complains. He goes out and gets the job done,” Bickerstaff said, via Michael Scotto.
Detroit closed the second quarter on a 7-0 spurt to secure a 58-48 halftime lead, its first double-digit advantage of the night. New York briefly cut the deficit to two early in the third, but Duncan Robinson’s back-to-back 3-pointers extended the lead to 13. Daniss Jenkins’ tip-in with 7:50 left pushed the gap to 104-85, the largest of the contest.
Despite missing Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart due to suspensions, Detroit’s supporting cast contributed significantly. Paul Reed added 18 points and seven rebounds, Tobias Harris posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 boards, and Ausar Thompson chipped in 10 points while helping control the glass 44-38.
For the Knicks, Jalen Brunson led with 33 points and eight assists, while Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 21 points and 11 rebounds. New York struggled from long range, hitting only 23% of their 3-point attempts, and could not overcome Detroit’s balanced attack.
Bickerstaff emphasized Cunningham’s consistency and leadership, noting his character as a major factor in his superstar status. “The thing I’m most impressed with is how consistent he is as a human through it all and how consistent he is as a teammate. He does the right thing by his teammates over and over again to help them excel and succeed,” he said.
Detroit now heads to Chicago for the next stop on its road trip Saturday, while New York hosts Houston. Cunningham’s performance cements his role as the Pistons’ franchise cornerstone and a leading candidate for All-Star and MVP honors.
