DETROIT — The atmosphere at Little Caesars Arena reached a boiling point after a controversial foul by Cam Whitmore against Cade Cunningham, igniting the crowd and turning the tide for the Detroit Pistons. With 4:27 left in regulation, Whitmore contested a dunk attempt by the franchise player, causing Cunningham to fall hard to the court and later exit to the bench while fans erupted into “MVP!” chants.
Despite sustaining a lower back injury, Cunningham returned to the game, leading the Pistons to a thrilling 137-135 victory over the Washington Wizards. Detroit, down by eight points at one point, surged ahead, outscoring the Wizards 31-21 in the remaining regulation and overtime thanks in large part to Cunningham’s determination.
“I didn’t like the way that it happened,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said referring to Whitmore’s foul. “But it shows the courage and resilience of Cade and the want to not let his teammates down.”
Cunningham put on an impressive performance, achieving a career-high of 46 points with a stat line that included 12 rebounds and 11 assists, though he needed 45 attempts to achieve it. The Pistons were missing several key players due to injuries, further emphasizing the significance of Cunningham’s aggressive play.
In a standout moment, Daniss Jenkins also stepped up for Detroit, scoring 24 points off the bench, including a crucial three-pointer that sent the game into overtime and highlighting his readiness on the court. “I knew what I was capable of,” Jenkins stated, reflecting on his unexpected breakthrough since going undrafted in 2024.
Cunningham faced a tough defensive strategy from the Wizards, who aimed to limit his free-throw opportunities and make him work for every shot. Despite the defensive schemes, he went 16-of-18 from the free-throw line, underscoring his relentless approach throughout the game.
Though the offensive performance was not marked by high efficiency, the Pistons demonstrated their resilience, marking their seventh consecutive win and maintaining their lead in the Eastern Conference standings. Jalen Duren also continued to impress with another double-double performance, while teammates, including Javonte Green, made key contributions in crucial moments.
“There have been a lot of games where it’s tough, where it comes down to the wire… We came together and got it done,” Duren remarked, signifying the team spirit that has characterized Detroit’s successful start to the season.
As the Pistons continue to navigate challenges, their ability to pull off wins in critical situations suggests a promising trajectory for the season ahead.