NBA Notes: Pistons, Cade Cunningham, All-Star Game, Sixers

Pistons

Cade Cunningham put on one of the most unique performances in NBA history Tuesday night.

The reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week erupted for a career-high 46 points to lead the Pistons past the Wizards 137-135 in overtime on Monday.

With several regulars resting, Cunningham took on nearly the entire offensive load — attempting 45 shots, making 14, and sinking 16-of-18 from the free throw line.

He also posted his first triple-double of the season, finishing with 11 assists, 12 rebounds, five steals and two blocks.

According to the Pistons’ PR department, he’s the first player in NBA history to record those numbers in a single game since the league began tracking steals and blocks in 1973-74.

Cunningham even took a hard fall late in the fourth after being fouled by Wizards forward Cam Whitmore but refused to leave the game.

“When you take a guy out of the air like that, you don’t walk up on him,” head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said, via The Athletic’s Hunter Patterson. “It shows the courage and resilience of Cade.

“He could’ve stayed in the back with what he was going through, but he didn’t want to give up. He wanted to fight and led us to the victory.”

The win marked Detroit’s seventh straight and another statement night for its franchise cornerstone.

All-Star Game

The NBA is shaking up its midseason showcase once again.

This year’s All-Star Game will feature a U.S. vs. World format, NBA Communications announced. The event will take place Sunday, Feb. 15 at 5 p.m. ET at the Clippers’ new Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

Three teams — two made up of American players and one of international stars — will compete in a round-robin format consisting of four 12-minute games. The top two teams by record will advance to a championship round, with point differential serving as the tiebreaker if necessary.

As always, 24 All-Stars (12 from each conference) will be chosen, with starters voted in by fans, players and media, and reserves selected by head coaches. The NBA and NBPA say the goal is to “bring back competition and national pride” to a game that’s lost intensity in recent years.

The earlier date ties into NBC’s broadcast plans, which will pair All-Star Weekend with its coverage of the Winter Olympics, as noted by ESPN’s Tim Bontemps.

76ers

Rookie forward Johni Broome is learning patience in Philadelphia.

The second-round pick has appeared in only two games this season, spending most of his time with the G League’s Delaware Blue Coats. He sprained his right ankle over the weekend but indicated he’s staying positive through the adjustment.

“I’m just trusting my work and my faith,” Broome said, via Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. “It’s difficult at times, but I understand what comes with it. I just have to keep working and stay ready.”

Broome is expected to continue developing with the Blue Coats once healthy.

“Wherever I’m at, I’m going to compete and get my work in,” he added. “If they want me to go down to the G League and play, that’s what I’m going to do.”