Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) dribbles against the Atlanta Hawks in the second half at State Farm Arena. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Cade Cunningham offers glimmer of hope in Pistons' 24th-straight loss

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated 12/19/23

The Detroit Pistons are approaching unfortunate history as their losing streak now sits at 24 straight after a 130-124 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Monday.

Detroit is only two more losses away from tying the longest losing streak in NBA history and three more losses away from breaking it. The Philadelphia 76ers lost 26 straight in 2013-14 and the Cleveland Cavaliers "accomplished" the same feat in 2010-11.

Yes, things are bleak, but Detroit got a glimmer of hope on Monday night in the form of Cade Cunningham. The former first-overall pick has been good — not great — this season, but against Atlanta, he showed off the skillset that made him such a coveted prospect in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Cunningham put up a career-high 43 points against Atlanta on 16-of-24 shooting from the field (including three-of-five from deep). He also added five rebounds, seven assists, three steals and one block.

Cade Cunningham dropped a CAREER-HIGH 43 PTS in a tough loss to the Hawks!

43 PTS / 7 AST / 5 REB pic.twitter.com/N1A0rIa23P
— NBA (@NBA) December 19, 2023

To be frank, this 43-point performance didn't do much for the overall state of the organization. It can't be ignored that general manager Troy Weaver put together possibly one of the worst-constructed rosters of all time. Cunningham can be a superstar, but he barely has any help around him.

With that said, there have been questions throughout this losing streak whether or not Cunningham can truly be "the guy" for Detroit.

More games like Monday night will continue to silence his doubters.

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