Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham is in the midst of a postseason that's solidifying his status as one of the best young players in the NBA. In his first career postseason apearance, the 23-year-old is going toe-to-toe with New York Knicks superstar Jalen Brunson and proving he belongs.
Game 5 offered a surprising twist, however, as it was Cunningham's teammates who took center stage and extended the series.
Cunningham scored a game-high 24 points in Game 5, but shot just 6-of-17 from the field and committed five turnovers. Statistics only mean so much during the postseason, but it was an admittedly tough showing from the All-Star.
Thankfully, four other Pistons scored in double figures, including Ausar Thompson with 22 points and Tobias Harris with 17, eight rebounds, four blocks, and two steals.
Cunningham deserves significant credit for scoring 13 points in the fourth quarter of Detroit's 106-103 victory. What his teammates provided him with, however, was the platform to step up, extend the series, and potentially win Game 6 back on their home court.
If the Pistons defeat the Knicks in Game 6, then Cunningham will have a career-defining opportunity that every superstar dreams of: A Game 7 at Madison Square Garden.
Cade Cunningham a win away from a Game 7 at Madison Square Garden
Love or hate the Knicks, Madison Square Garden is among the greatest venues in the world of sports. It's rich in history and oftentimes synonymous with a star-caliber opponent making the leap to a new level of superstardom both on and off the court.
Years after the fact, legendary performances at Madison Square Garden from the likes of Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry, James Harden, Michael Jordan, and Reggie Miller continue to act as enduring images of their greatness.
If Detroit wins Game 6, Cunningham will have a chance to follow in their footsteps—with a postseason twist. He would have an opportunity to not only show out on a massive stage, but lead his team to a statement of an upset in an iconic location.
In the process, Cunningham could solidify his status as not only a great young player, but one of the best that the NBA has to offer in any age range.
The obvious caveat here is that winning Game 6 will be significantly easier said than done. New York won both Game 3 and Game 4 in Detroit, and still holds a 3-2 series lead that will give it a chance to close the Pistons out before a Game 7 can even happen.
Cunningham's teammates gave him what effectively amounted to a three quarter pass, however, and he should thus be energized for a massive Game 6.
Extending the series to this point has already given Cunningham an intriguing addition to his credentials as far as conversations about the top 10 players in the NBA are concerned. It also doesn't hurt that he's already an All-Star who should be named All-NBA for the 2024-25 campaign.
One simply can't help but wonder what Cunningham's reputation would be if he shows out in a Game 7 at Madison Square Garden and sends Detroit to the second round for the first time since 2008.