Motor City Magic: Cunningham’s Historic Night Fuels Pistons’ 7th Straight Win in OT Thriller
That, my friends, was a game the Pistons had no business winning. With a depleted roster and a shooting percentage well below league average, the Detroit Pistons somehow pulled off the impossible.
In what can only be described as a heart-stopping, instant classic at Little Caesars Arena, the Pistons clawed their way to a seventh consecutive victory Monday night, outlasting the Washington Wizards 137-135 in overtime. The win lifts Detroit to 9-2, sitting atop the Eastern Conference and second overall in the NBA.
This wasn’t just a win — it was a statement. A statement authored by a superstar’s will, a rookie’s nerve, and a team’s undeniable grit. Even with a roster thinned by injuries, the Pistons proved the engine in Detroit is firing on all cylinders.
A Legendary Performance for the Ages
Let’s talk about Cade Cunningham. Monday’s effort was nothing short of legendary. Detroit’s cornerstone guard erupted for 46 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, five steals, and two blocks — the kind of stat line you read twice to believe.
No player has posted those numbers in a single game since the NBA began recording steals and blocks in 1973-74. Cunningham joins Michael Jordan as one of only two players in league history to notch a 40-point triple-double with five steals. And yes, his shot volume was heavy — he missed plenty — but every possession screamed leadership and willpower. Even when the jumper faded, Cade found other ways to dominate.
Cade’s Scary Fall
Late in the fourth quarter, Cade Cunningham drove hard to the rim and was fouled mid-air by Cam Whitmore, crashing down hard on his tailbone. The crowd went silent as Cunningham stayed down for several moments before slowly getting back to his feet. Officials briefly reviewed the play to determine if Whitmore’s contact warranted a flagrant, but it was ultimately ruled a common foul. Cade shook it off, hit his free throws, and stayed in the game — another snapshot of his toughness on a night when Detroit needed every ounce of it.
The Hero We Didn’t See Coming: Daniss Jenkins
For all of Cunningham’s heroics, the Pistons don’t reach overtime without Daniss Jenkins. The rookie guard came off the bench with the poise of a veteran, pouring in 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting (4-of-6 from three), plus eight rebounds and relentless defense.
Down five with 14 seconds left, Jenkins buried a deep three. After a Wizards free throw, the ball found him again — corner pocket, perfect release, splash. Tie game. Pandemonium. LC Arena was shaking as the buzzer sent the game to overtime.
“We knew how big this game was for us,” Jenkins said postgame. “We wasn’t going to let nothing stop us from getting this W.” Jalen Duren nodded later: “He never shies away from the moment. That’s who he is.”
Grit, Boards, and the Big Man in the Middle
Jalen Duren anchored the paint with 19 points and 14 rebounds, punishing mismatches and giving Detroit the extra possessions they needed.
And don’t overlook Duncan Robinson, who added 13 points on 5-of-11 shooting (3-of-9 from deep). His overtime three-pointer broke a tie and swung the momentum permanently Detroit’s way — a veteran dagger that capped a complete team effort.
Banged Up but Battle-Tested: Next Up — the Bulls
Detroit’s homestand rolls on Wednesday against the Chicago Bulls (6-4). The injury list remains long — Isaiah Stewart (ankle), Caris LeVert (knee), Ausar Thompson (ankle), Marcus Sasser (hip), Tobias Harris (ankle), and Jaden Ivey (knee) are all sidelined — but this team’s mentality is clear: next man up, no excuses.
Monday night’s victory wasn’t just another notch in the win column. It was a mirror of what’s being built in Detroit — a culture of resilience, unity, and belief — led by a superstar rising fast and a rookie already writing his own chapter in Pistons history.
Because this wasn’t luck. This was Motor City Magic.
Let us know who you think was the MVP of this game…Cade or Jenkins? Drop a comment below or Join the conversation in the Pistons Hardwood Hub — where fans break down every game, every angle.
Info gathered from team reports, pressers & trusted Michigan outlets — the way we always do it at Mitten Sports Talk.
