Cade Cunningham makes history, leads Pistons past Knicks in battle of top East contenders

Cade Cunningham made a big statement in the Big Apple on Thursday.

The two-time All-Star, fresh off a win with Team USA Stars at the 2026 All-Star Game, had a monster game for the Detroit Pistons (41-13, first in Eastern Conference) in their first game since the in-season break, a resounding 126-111 win over the New York Knicks (35-21, third in Eastern Conference). 

Cunningham led all players with 42 points on 17-of-34 shooting while adding 13 assists, making him the first visiting player since LeBron James (2009) and fifth all-time to record at least 40 points and 10 assists at Madison Square Garden, according to Stathead research, including just the third at the current MSG, also joining Allen Iverson (2005).

With the win, the Pistons emphasized they aren't just a feel-good regular-season story. They're a bona fide title contender two years removed from being the NBA's worst team.

Massive Cade Cunningham game a reminder Pistons are for real

In April 2024, Detroit was putting the finishing touches on a 14-68 campaign, the worst in franchise history. It took a major leap forward last season, posting a 30-win increase to go 44-38 and finish sixth in the East before being knocked out by the Knicks in the first round of the playoffs.

The Pistons have built on that foundation this year, but with more veteran teams in the conference, such as the Knicks, Boston Celtics (35-19, second in Eastern Conference) and Cleveland Cavaliers (35-21, fourth in Eastern Conference), there's been a fear in anointing them too early. Per FanDuel, the Celtics and Cavs rank ahead of them in odds of winning the Eastern Conference. 

But games like Cunningham's against New York show Detroit is capable of taking another massive step forward this spring. He was the clear best player on the court Thursday, making shots from all areas, including splitting the defenders when attacking the paint for a one-handed dunk and drilling a three on a mismatch with Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns guarding him in the third.