Cade Cunningham's 36 shows Pistons can make a playoff splash

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson defends against Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham. David Reginek-Imagn Images

Cade Cunningham's 36 vs. Knicks shows Pistons can make a playoff splash

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Apr 10, 2025 10:40 PM ET

The Detroit Pistons haven't been to the NBA postseason since the 2018-19 season. They haven't won a playoff series since 2007-08.

To put that in perspective, that was just four seasons after the "Going to Work" Pistons won the 2003-04 NBA title and Chauncey Billups was still on the team at that point.

It's been a long time since the Pistons have been a successful team, but a year after going 14-68 and gutting the front office and coaching staff, rising superstar Cade Cunningham has the Pistons poised to make some noise.

They've already clinched a playoff spot. Now the only question is who they'll play. A lot of that has to do with seeding, and there are questions throughout the Eastern Conference about how it will shake out over the next few weeks. However, it's possible Detroit could end up matching up against the New York Knicks in the first round.

Detroit played those same Knicks at Little Caesars Arena on Wednesday night in what could be a first-round preview, and the result was a massive win for the Pistons.

They won 115-106 in front of the home crowd, but perhaps most impressively, Cunningham went off for 36 points and eight assists in the game:

Cade Cunningham with a STELLAR showing in a potential first-round preview!

36 PTS
8 AST

Pistons get the win over New York! pic.twitter.com/mqnTD5mdmP
— NBA (@NBA) April 11, 2025

If the Pistons are going to make a run deeper than the first round and be more than a fun story, it's Cunningham who will need to lead the way.

The good news for the Pistons is the former No. 1 overall pick has finally found his stride, averaging 25.9 points and 9.1 assists per game, both career highs. He's become not just the best player on his team, but arguably one of the top players in the NBA.

The Pistons new front office has done a great job of surrounding him with complementary pieces in Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson, who are both making a significant impact. That's not something Cunningham had in his first few seasons. Additionally, Jaden Ivey has been cleared for basketball activities after missing the past three months due to injury.

Ultimately, though, the Pistons will go as far as Cunningham takes them. If this potential playoff preview was any indication, they may be able to make a postseason splash for the first time in a very long time.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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