Cade Cunningham’s 39 Not Enough in Game 1: “We Were Too Tight”
The Magic steal Game 1 on the road in Detroit: Banchero & Co. take a 1-0 series lead despite Cunningham’s 39-point performance, as he’s left out of the MVP finalists
This wasn’t the start Detroit had envisioned. Despite finishing with the best record in the Eastern Conference, the Pistons stumbled badly in Game 1 against the Orlando Magic (101-112), immediately losing home-court advantage in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
It’s a bitter pill to swallow, made even worse by the news that followed the game: Cade Cunningham, who dropped 39 points, was officially left out of the MVP finalists, snubbed alongside Luka Doncic despite a season worthy of at least a top-three finish behind Shai, Jokic, and Wembanyama.
Cunningham carried Detroit on his shoulders: along with his 39 points, he added 5 rebounds and 4 assists while shooting 48% from the field. A true leader’s performance that ultimately went to waste due to a sluggish team approach.
We came out tight, maybe too relaxed – or maybe both. We gave Orlando rhythm right away and dug ourselves into too big a hole. We can’t afford energy lapses like that in the playoffs
Cade Cunningham
Perhaps, despite returning to the playoffs last season after a five-year absence, the Pistons still felt the pressure of being the No. 1 seed.
Detroit’s leader didn’t hold back in his self-criticism, despite the 39-point outing, pointing to ball movement issues against Orlando’s defensive “wall”:
I’ve got to do a better job of getting my teammates the ball in their spots, giving them clean looks. They packed the paint – that’s what they do best. We need to space the floor smarter
Cade Cunningham
On the other side, Orlando celebrates a huge road win with a balanced effort: Paolo Banchero led a starting five in double figures with 23 points and 9 rebounds, followed by 19 from Franz Wagner, 17 each from Desmond Bane and Wendell Carter Jr., and 16 from Jalen Suggs.
They feel great right now – they came in here and did their job. But we haven’t lost any confidence. This one hurts, but it’s a long series. We know who they are, and they know who we are. It’s going to be a fun battle
Cade Cunningham
Game 2, scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, could already be a turning point in what projects to be a tightly contested series. And if being left out of the league’s top honors becomes extra motivation, Cunningham will be the first ready to respond with a chip on his shoulder.