Cade Cunningham on ending 28-game losing streak: 'I needed to elevate my game'
The 22-year-old scored 26 of his 30 points in the final 24 minutes. He had seven of his 12 assists in that span, too. Cunningham played 38 minutes without recording a turnover. This is star stuff. These are things people thought Cunningham would achieve. These are things people questioned whether he could do after an up-and-down rookie season. All it took was a historic losing streak for the world to see that Cunningham could be a special player. “I’ve always liked when everyone is tuned in,” Cunningham told The Athletic after the victory. “It’s not that I change my approach or feel any different. (Having people watch) does something to me. “The stakes were getting higher and higher. I know I had to up my play. I just had to figure out what else my team needed from me. I needed to elevate my game (to end this losing streak). This is where it took me.”
Source: James L. Edwards III @ The Athletic
Source: James L. Edwards III @ The Athletic
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
The irony of the Pistons’ historic losing skid is that – for the first time in a very long time – the world was watching Detroit.
In turn, Cade Cunningham got to re-introduce himself to those who questioned or forgot.
On the rose that grew from concrete: theathletic.com/5170573/2023/1… – 12:00 AM
The irony of the Pistons’ historic losing skid is that – for the first time in a very long time – the world was watching Detroit.
In turn, Cade Cunningham got to re-introduce himself to those who questioned or forgot.
On the rose that grew from concrete: theathletic.com/5170573/2023/1… – 12:00 AM
Mike Curtis @MikeACurtis2
Asked Cade Cunningham about the vibe in the locker room after the game and how they can use this win as momentum.
“It’s been weighing on us heavy, for two months…At the end of the day, that’s our third win. We’re not anywhere close to where we feel like we should be.” pic.twitter.com/I0pxBH7xjr – 9:45 PM
Asked Cade Cunningham about the vibe in the locker room after the game and how they can use this win as momentum.
“It’s been weighing on us heavy, for two months…At the end of the day, that’s our third win. We’re not anywhere close to where we feel like we should be.” pic.twitter.com/I0pxBH7xjr – 9:45 PM
Mike Curtis @MikeACurtis2
Cade Cunningham on tonight’s win over Raptors:
“I feel amazing. This is my first time trying not to just be cheesing in an interview.” pic.twitter.com/WJNom2jjhd – 9:34 PM
Cade Cunningham on tonight’s win over Raptors:
“I feel amazing. This is my first time trying not to just be cheesing in an interview.” pic.twitter.com/WJNom2jjhd – 9:34 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Cade Cunningham scored or assisted on 21 of Detroit’s 41 buckets tonight – 9:11 PM
Cade Cunningham scored or assisted on 21 of Detroit’s 41 buckets tonight – 9:11 PM
James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Cunningham on playing with a spread floor: “As someone who plays most in the middle third of the floor, it helps a lot.” Said it helps him and JD’s pick-and-roll. Said there are pros and cons, primarily on defense. – 9:00 PM
Cunningham on playing with a spread floor: “As someone who plays most in the middle third of the floor, it helps a lot.” Said it helps him and JD’s pick-and-roll. Said there are pros and cons, primarily on defense. – 9:00 PM
Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
Cade on Burks: “I call him All Buckets, because when he was in New York I didn’t like playing against him. Having him on the squad, that’s what he does which is score the ball. Even through the slump, I trusted him to knock down shots and knew I could kick it out to him.” – 9:00 PM
Cade on Burks: “I call him All Buckets, because when he was in New York I didn’t like playing against him. Having him on the squad, that’s what he does which is score the ball. Even through the slump, I trusted him to knock down shots and knew I could kick it out to him.” – 9:00 PM
James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Cunningham on Burks: “He always says, ‘It comes back around.’ I always say that to him. I call him ‘All-Buckets’. Even through the slump, I trusted him. That’s what he does. It’s only right that it came back around.” – 8:59 PM
Cunningham on Burks: “He always says, ‘It comes back around.’ I always say that to him. I call him ‘All-Buckets’. Even through the slump, I trusted him. That’s what he does. It’s only right that it came back around.” – 8:59 PM
Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
Cade on the energy today after taking Boston to OT on Thursday: “The energy was up. We wanted both wins, but our starting unit started slow tonight. That was different … our bench came in and really picked us up, which is huge for us. From there we maintained it.” – 8:59 PM
Cade on the energy today after taking Boston to OT on Thursday: “The energy was up. We wanted both wins, but our starting unit started slow tonight. That was different … our bench came in and really picked us up, which is huge for us. From there we maintained it.” – 8:59 PM
James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Cunningham on Duren: “He was huge for us. It felt like he had his double-double early. His presence is huge for us.” – 8:58 PM
Cunningham on Duren: “He was huge for us. It felt like he had his double-double early. His presence is huge for us.” – 8:58 PM
James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Cunningham: “It’s good to be around a group of guys who uplift one another.” – 8:56 PM
Cunningham: “It’s good to be around a group of guys who uplift one another.” – 8:56 PM
Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
Cade: “We just kept battling. It’s been a long stretch, all these losses. I’m just happy to be part of a group of guys who don’t quit.” – 8:56 PM
Cade: “We just kept battling. It’s been a long stretch, all these losses. I’m just happy to be part of a group of guys who don’t quit.” – 8:56 PM
James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Cunningham: “This is my first time trying not cheese during an interview, but I can’t help it.” – 8:54 PM
Cunningham: “This is my first time trying not cheese during an interview, but I can’t help it.” – 8:54 PM
Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
Cade just stepped to the podium with a grin. “Why am I smiling right now?” – 8:54 PM
Cade just stepped to the podium with a grin. “Why am I smiling right now?” – 8:54 PM
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
PISTONS SNAP 28-GAME LOSING STREAK 👏
Cade: 30 PTS | 12 AST pic.twitter.com/e9IID7UhvE – 8:44 PM
PISTONS SNAP 28-GAME LOSING STREAK 👏
Cade: 30 PTS | 12 AST pic.twitter.com/e9IID7UhvE – 8:44 PM
Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie
30 points, 12 assists and no turnovers. Man, has Cade been unbelievable during this little recent run. – 8:42 PM
30 points, 12 assists and no turnovers. Man, has Cade been unbelievable during this little recent run. – 8:42 PM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
Cade Cunningham’s BIG night to get the Pistons their first win since October 28th 🔥 pic.twitter.com/05hV6GuExP – 8:40 PM
Cade Cunningham’s BIG night to get the Pistons their first win since October 28th 🔥 pic.twitter.com/05hV6GuExP – 8:40 PM
Eric Koreen @ekoreen
‘Topes lose. 129-127. Detroit’s 28-game losing streak is finally over.
35/5/4 for Siakam, 30 and 9 for Schröder. Cunningham had 30 and 12, Duren 18 and 17. Congrats to real Pistons fans. – 8:37 PM
‘Topes lose. 129-127. Detroit’s 28-game losing streak is finally over.
35/5/4 for Siakam, 30 and 9 for Schröder. Cunningham had 30 and 12, Duren 18 and 17. Congrats to real Pistons fans. – 8:37 PM
Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
FINAL: Pistons 129, Raptors 127. Pistons (3-29 overall) end 2023 with a victory that snaps a historic 28-game skid.
Another huge game for Cade: 30 points, 12 assists, zero turnovers. Scored 26 points in the 2nd half on 8-for-12 shooting after going just 1-for-8 in the first half – 8:37 PM
FINAL: Pistons 129, Raptors 127. Pistons (3-29 overall) end 2023 with a victory that snaps a historic 28-game skid.
Another huge game for Cade: 30 points, 12 assists, zero turnovers. Scored 26 points in the 2nd half on 8-for-12 shooting after going just 1-for-8 in the first half – 8:37 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Cade Cunningham in the win:
30 PTS (!)
12 AST (!!)
0 TOV (!!!)
The first Piston with a 30p/10a game on 0 TOV since Chauncey Billups. statmuse.com/nba/player/cad… – 8:36 PM
Cade Cunningham in the win:
30 PTS (!)
12 AST (!!)
0 TOV (!!!)
The first Piston with a 30p/10a game on 0 TOV since Chauncey Billups. statmuse.com/nba/player/cad… – 8:36 PM
James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
The Wicked Witch is dead.
The Pistons win, ending a historic losing steak at 28, avoid going two full months without a victory and stop from going the entire 2023 calendar year with single-digit wins.
Cade Cunningham had 25 of his 30 points in the second half and 0 TOs – 8:36 PM
The Wicked Witch is dead.
The Pistons win, ending a historic losing steak at 28, avoid going two full months without a victory and stop from going the entire 2023 calendar year with single-digit wins.
Cade Cunningham had 25 of his 30 points in the second half and 0 TOs – 8:36 PM
James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Cade makes two free throws, GTJ misses, Duren to the line…
It’s been a while, but… pic.twitter.com/QUTswgTmBM – 8:23 PM
Cade makes two free throws, GTJ misses, Duren to the line…
It’s been a while, but… pic.twitter.com/QUTswgTmBM – 8:23 PM
Nick DePaula @NickDePaula
Cade Cunningham is in a clean white Sabrina 1 tonight pic.twitter.com/YNPEnqN8am – 8:19 PM
Cade Cunningham is in a clean white Sabrina 1 tonight pic.twitter.com/YNPEnqN8am – 8:19 PM
Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
Cade middy. 28 points, 24 in the second half. Pistons are leading Toronto 116-107. 1:34 left. That might do it – 8:17 PM
Cade middy. 28 points, 24 in the second half. Pistons are leading Toronto 116-107. 1:34 left. That might do it – 8:17 PM
Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
Pistons 114, Raptors 107. 3:07 to play. Cade has been fantastic. 12 points in the 3rd, 10 points in the 4th to help Detroit stay in control. 26 points, 12 assists for the night – 8:14 PM
Pistons 114, Raptors 107. 3:07 to play. Cade has been fantastic. 12 points in the 3rd, 10 points in the 4th to help Detroit stay in control. 26 points, 12 assists for the night – 8:14 PM
James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Cade Cunningham in the second half: 7-11 for 22 points, 7 assists and 0 turnovers. – 8:13 PM
Cade Cunningham in the second half: 7-11 for 22 points, 7 assists and 0 turnovers. – 8:13 PM
James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Uh, oh. Cade and Ivey with back-to-back 3s.
Pistons up by 11 with 5:50 left. Have just played a consistent and steady 43 minutes of ball. No backbreaking lapses. Steady. – 8:08 PM
Uh, oh. Cade and Ivey with back-to-back 3s.
Pistons up by 11 with 5:50 left. Have just played a consistent and steady 43 minutes of ball. No backbreaking lapses. Steady. – 8:08 PM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Stop the presses. 11-point Pistons lead with 5:50 remaining. Cade Cunningham starting to percolate a bit, Ivey playing a very good floor game despite the lack of scoring – 8:07 PM
Stop the presses. 11-point Pistons lead with 5:50 remaining. Cade Cunningham starting to percolate a bit, Ivey playing a very good floor game despite the lack of scoring – 8:07 PM
Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
Cunningham gets the the rim for a layup, gets the steal on the other end and gets the ball to Bogey in transition for another layup.
Pisotns 103, Raptors 97. 6:50 to play. Cade has scored 17 of his 21 points in the second half. – 8:02 PM
Cunningham gets the the rim for a layup, gets the steal on the other end and gets the ball to Bogey in transition for another layup.
Pisotns 103, Raptors 97. 6:50 to play. Cade has scored 17 of his 21 points in the second half. – 8:02 PM
Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
Ivey’s fourth offensive rebound sets up a 3 for Cunningham, who now has 19 points. Ivey’s been huge tonight with his rebounding – 7:58 PM
Ivey’s fourth offensive rebound sets up a 3 for Cunningham, who now has 19 points. Ivey’s been huge tonight with his rebounding – 7:58 PM
James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Big rebound by Hayes there off the Burks miss.
Pistons up by four, with the ball, and Cade and Ivey are coming back in. – 7:55 PM
Big rebound by Hayes there off the Burks miss.
Pistons up by four, with the ball, and Cade and Ivey are coming back in. – 7:55 PM
Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
End of 3: Pistons 90, Raptors 86. Detroit led by 10 midway through the quarter, but Toronto’s offense picked up after a rough second quarter. Second unit survived again.
Knox: 17 points
Cunningham: 16 points, 11 assists
Burks: 16 points – 7:51 PM
End of 3: Pistons 90, Raptors 86. Detroit led by 10 midway through the quarter, but Toronto’s offense picked up after a rough second quarter. Second unit survived again.
Knox: 17 points
Cunningham: 16 points, 11 assists
Burks: 16 points – 7:51 PM
Mike Curtis @MikeACurtis2
End of the 3rd quarter: #Pistons 90, #Raptors 86.
Knox: 17 pts (7-12 FG, 3-7 3PT)
Cunningham: 16 pts, 11 asts (8-8 FT)
Burks: 16 pts (4-5 FG, 3-3 3PT, 5-5 FT)
Pascal Siakam: 28 pts, 4 rebs, 4 asts (11-18 FG) – 7:50 PM
End of the 3rd quarter: #Pistons 90, #Raptors 86.
Knox: 17 pts (7-12 FG, 3-7 3PT)
Cunningham: 16 pts, 11 asts (8-8 FT)
Burks: 16 pts (4-5 FG, 3-3 3PT, 5-5 FT)
Pascal Siakam: 28 pts, 4 rebs, 4 asts (11-18 FG) – 7:50 PM
James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Uh, oh. Cade just picked up his fourth foul with 2:13 left in 3Q.
Williams going to Hayes, not Ivey. I was wrong again. I quit.
All-bench unit in with the Pistons up by 4 and Pascal cooking. – 7:46 PM
Uh, oh. Cade just picked up his fourth foul with 2:13 left in 3Q.
Williams going to Hayes, not Ivey. I was wrong again. I quit.
All-bench unit in with the Pistons up by 4 and Pascal cooking. – 7:46 PM
James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Cade and four bench guys out there now.
My guess is Ivey replaces Cade here shortly. – 7:42 PM
Cade and four bench guys out there now.
My guess is Ivey replaces Cade here shortly. – 7:42 PM
Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
Cade’s scored 10 points in the 3rd, and is up to 14 and nine assists for the night. Shooting 3-5 this quarter after going 1-8 in the first two – 7:40 PM
Cade’s scored 10 points in the 3rd, and is up to 14 and nine assists for the night. Shooting 3-5 this quarter after going 1-8 in the first two – 7:40 PM
Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
Knox with the poster dunk after Cade finds him cutting. Knox has 17 points – 7:35 PM
Knox with the poster dunk after Cade finds him cutting. Knox has 17 points – 7:35 PM
Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
That was only Cade’s second bucket of the night. He’s 2-for-10. – 7:28 PM
That was only Cade’s second bucket of the night. He’s 2-for-10. – 7:28 PM
James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Detroit is up eight at half with Cade and Ivey combining to go 1-11.
Third quarter starts now. – 7:21 PM
Detroit is up eight at half with Cade and Ivey combining to go 1-11.
Third quarter starts now. – 7:21 PM
Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
Halftime: Pistons 52, Raptors 44. Detroit led by one after the 1st, and then built on it. Raptors shot just 6-for-23 in the 2nd.
Burks (11 points), Knox (10 points) and Duren (8 points, 11 rebounds) carrying Pistons on a night Cunningham (4 points, 1-8 shooting) has struggled. – 7:09 PM
Halftime: Pistons 52, Raptors 44. Detroit led by one after the 1st, and then built on it. Raptors shot just 6-for-23 in the 2nd.
Burks (11 points), Knox (10 points) and Duren (8 points, 11 rebounds) carrying Pistons on a night Cunningham (4 points, 1-8 shooting) has struggled. – 7:09 PM
Mike Curtis @MikeACurtis2
End of the 1st quarter: #Pistons 25, #Raptors 24.
Burks: 11 pts (2-2 FG, 2-2 3PM, 5-5 FT)
Duren: 4 pts, 7 rebs (2 fouls)
Cunningham, Ivey, Bogdanovic, Thompson, Knox: 2 pts each. – 6:37 PM
End of the 1st quarter: #Pistons 25, #Raptors 24.
Burks: 11 pts (2-2 FG, 2-2 3PM, 5-5 FT)
Duren: 4 pts, 7 rebs (2 fouls)
Cunningham, Ivey, Bogdanovic, Thompson, Knox: 2 pts each. – 6:37 PM
Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
Cade’s missed five of his first six shots. Burks is making his, though. Hits Detroit’s first 3 of the night to cut it to one – 6:25 PM
Cade’s missed five of his first six shots. Burks is making his, though. Hits Detroit’s first 3 of the night to cut it to one – 6:25 PM
Mike Curtis @MikeACurtis2
The swat by Knox. The save by Bogey. The finish by Cade. Good sequence for the Pistons. – 6:15 PM
The swat by Knox. The save by Bogey. The finish by Cade. Good sequence for the Pistons. – 6:15 PM
Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
Same starting 5 for Detroit: Cunningham, Ivey, Bogey, Knox and Duren – 5:39 PM
Same starting 5 for Detroit: Cunningham, Ivey, Bogey, Knox and Duren – 5:39 PM
James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Pistons starters: Cunningham, Ivey, Knox, Bogdanovic and Duren. – 5:31 PM
Pistons starters: Cunningham, Ivey, Knox, Bogdanovic and Duren. – 5:31 PM
Mike Curtis @MikeACurtis2
Cade Cunningham going through his pregame routine.
He’s averaging 33 points, 5.8 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.8 steals while shooting 50% from 3 over the Pistons’ last five games. pic.twitter.com/TRbyacUZI7 – 4:53 PM
Cade Cunningham going through his pregame routine.
He’s averaging 33 points, 5.8 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.8 steals while shooting 50% from 3 over the Pistons’ last five games. pic.twitter.com/TRbyacUZI7 – 4:53 PM
More on this storyline
“It wasn’t that I questioned myself if I was ‘the guy’ (to help turn a franchise around) because my faith has been strong and has gotten stronger with this,” Cunningham said. “I know God put me in this position for a reason. “However, I knew I wasn’t doing enough. My game wasn’t at the level it needed to be to help turn this franchise around. As much as it sucked, this streak, I feel like I learned a ton about myself, which is something I want to live with forever. I did a lot of reflecting every night.” -via The Athletic / December 31, 2023
Omari Sanfoka II: Cade Cunningham on the streak: “It’s been weighing on us heavy everywhere we go, which is two months. Which is unreal for it to be that long … we’re not trying to go back. Now it really begins where we see what we can really be.” -via Twitter @omarisankofa / December 30, 2023
Omari Sanfoka II: Cade Cunningham: “I feel amazing. This is my first time trying to not be cheesing right now. It feels good. It’s been a long time coming. Don’t want to go back to where we were.” -via Twitter @omarisankofa / December 30, 2023