Cade Cunningham showcased his superstar potential once again, tallying 29 points, 15 assists, and 10 rebounds to power the Detroit Pistons to a 120-111 victory over the New York Knicks on Saturday night.
The win snapped a three-game losing streak for Detroit and highlighted Cunningham’s ability to control the game on both ends of the floor.
This performance marked Cunningham’s fifth triple-double of the season, putting him just three behind league leader Nikola Jokic. His first-half dominance—21 points on 7-for-11 shooting, including 5-for-7 from beyond the arc—set the tone for Detroit’s offensive onslaught.
Malik Beasley provided a spark off the bench with 23 points, while Jaden Ivey chipped in 16. The Pistons used a balanced attack to withstand a late push from New York, which saw its four-game winning streak come to an end.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 31 points and 10 assists, while Mikal Bridges added 20 points. Despite their efforts, New York couldn’t overcome a depleted roster, playing without Karl-Anthony Towns (sore knee) and Cam Payne. The Knicks also lost Josh Hart in the fourth quarter when he was ejected after picking up his second technical foul.
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Detroit built a 17-point lead midway through the third quarter before New York stormed back with a 27-14 run to close the period. Ariel Hukporti’s dunk early in the fourth quarter trimmed the Pistons’ lead to just two points, but Detroit responded with a decisive 12-2 surge, capitalizing on four Knicks turnovers to push the lead to 103-89 with under eight minutes remaining.
Cunningham orchestrated the offense with precision, finding shooters and attacking the paint when needed. His ability to spread the floor was complemented by Detroit’s hot shooting, as they went 26-for-46 from the field and 13-for-23 from three-point range in the first half alone.
The Knicks struggled to keep pace, particularly without Towns anchoring the frontcourt. Jericho Sims, starting in Towns’ place, was scoreless in just six first-half minutes, forcing New York to rely heavily on Brunson and Bridges. While the duo kept New York within striking distance, turnovers and defensive lapses proved costly down the stretch.
One of the game’s key moments came in the second half when Detroit seized control following Hukporti’s dunk. Cunningham and Beasley spearheaded the 12-2 Pistons run, showcasing their ability to execute under pressure. Detroit’s defense also stepped up, forcing critical turnovers that derailed the Knicks’ momentum.
The game also featured a nostalgic halftime ceremony, as New York honored several of its former players on the court. While the event added a celebratory note to the evening, it was Detroit that ultimately stole the show with a complete team effort.
For the Knicks, the loss highlighted the importance of their depth, which was severely tested with multiple key players sidelined. Despite Brunson’s heroics, New York’s lack of interior presence without Towns and inconsistent bench production were evident.
Up next, the Knicks will look to bounce back as they visit the Toronto Raptors on Monday night. Meanwhile, the Pistons will aim to build on this victory when they travel to Boston to face the Celtics on Thursday night.
Cunningham’s triple-double performance served as a reminder of his growing influence as the centerpiece of Detroit’s rebuild. If he continues to deliver at this level, the Pistons could begin to turn the corner in what has been a challenging season.
