Cade Cunningham
Detroit Pistons · Guard · 6′6″ 220 lb · age 25 · Oklahoma State · 6th season
3 games this season
Availability
Next game Tomorrow at NYK. The injury report for it appears the day before.
Season form
3 games this seasonStarts 3 of 3 games · 1st on DET in minutes · Core role
Bars: minutes in his last 3 games · numbers: points
Situational splits: turn on Prediction tools.
What's being said
60 items · 16 sources this season- RotoWire RotoWire · Report ·
Cade Cunningham: Scores 26 points with full line in win — Cunningham amassed 26 points (9-19 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 5-8 FT), eight rebounds, eight assists, two steals and two blocks over 33 minutes in Sunday's 106-93 win over the 76ers.
- Podcast Numbers on the Board host · Analysis · around the league
Pistons: Cade Cunningham is playing off the ball more than in recent seasons, with Ausar initiating; Isaiah Joe and John Collins were added for shooting.
“20 Things We Have Learned So Far | Numbers On The Board” at 12:48 · listen ↗
- Podcast Locked On NBA host · Report · wording unclear in audio around the league
Detroit won 128-111 at Miami and is 2-0, and Miami is 0-2. Cade Cunningham had 16 points and 8 assists. Duncan Robinson is 10-of-20 from three to start the season.
“BEST NBA NIGHT EVER! YOU HAD TO BE THERE!” at 18:41 · listen ↗
- X Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) · Report ·
Detroit has two starters out with injuries and Cade Cunningham's four fouls have kept him out of the game for the last five minutes and Miami just hasn't been able to make up any ground.
- Podcast Gil's Arena host · Prediction · around the league
Haywood (inferred) predicted Edwards will be by far the best American player by the end of the season, ahead of Cade Cunningham and Jalen Brunson.
“Luka's Snowtime Lakers COOK GSW, Ant-Man & Lamelo WENT CRAZY vs MIA & AD Goes VINTAGE In D.C.! Part 1” at 49:12 · listen ↗
- Podcast Locked On Pistons host · Analysis ·
Host's view: on offense Collins looked out of sorts in his first game in the new system. He seemed unsure of his role, cut into driving lanes, and got no coordinated lobs from Cade Cunningham like he did at times in preseason.
“Should The Detroit Pistons ALREADY Make A Rotation CHANGE After Javonte Green's Game 1 Performance?” at 20:19 · listen ↗
- Podcast Locked On NBA host · Prediction · around the league
A host Hayes predicted the Pistons will prove doubters wrong early. He noted k cunningham Cade Cunningham finished fifth in MVP voting last year and said not to be surprised if he finishes top two.
“The Cavaliers Need Help | James Dolan Is The WORST” at 28:21 · listen ↗
- Podcast Gil's Arena · 2 points ·
- Cade Cunningham had 22 points and 8 assists, and Jalen Duren had 22 points and 9 rebounds. Ausar Thompson had 11 points and 11 rebounds and was guarding Tatum. at 1:00:28
- A panelist says Boston's biggest miss down the stretch against Detroit was Brown's defense: nobody was defending Cade Cunningham the way Brown had defended Brunson. He has low hopes for the Celtics in a tougher East. at 1:17:45
“Bron's Sixers SPOIL Knicks Ring Night, SGA Humbles Wemby & PG's Celtics Debut Sets The Arena Off! Part 2” · listen ↗
- Podcast John Karalis, Locked On Celtics · Analysis · around the league
A host or guest was surprised Walsh got the start. He speculated the reason was wanting length on defense against Cade Cunningham.
“Boston Celtics Bigs CRITICAL to Team Success | ONE THING Jayson Tatum MUST Fix” at 5:06 · listen ↗
- Podcast Get Up host · Report · around the league
The Pistons came back from 22 down with a 23-0 fourth-quarter run and beat the Celtics 121-113. Duncan Robinson, Javonte Green and Cade Cunningham scored during the run. A host criticized Boston's defense.
“Hour 1: King Spoils Rings, 4th and Whoa, Sacre Bleus” at 34:21 · listen ↗
- Podcast It Is What It Is host · Report · around the league
Cade Cunningham had 22 points on 8-18 shooting. Cam calls it decent but 'subpar for him'.
“Ring Night RUINED In NY, Kenneth Walker For MVP & Chargers Fans BLAMING Madison Beer?” at 9:43 · listen ↗
- Podcast The Athletic NBA Daily · 3 points ·
- Celtics: another late-game collapse. The offense lacked function in the fourth quarter and relied on threes. Pistons: half-court lulls in the second quarter and difficulty finding a secondary option for Cade. at 28:13
- Past context: a host said Cade collapsed a lung last season, yet the Pistons still beat good teams and kept their one seed. at 33:10
- The Pistons won the minutes when Cade was off the floor with Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren together. The host credited the shooters around them. at 29:11
“What we learned from a chaotic NBA Opening Night” · listen ↗
- Podcast Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective host · Report · wording unclear in audio around the league partly checked episode
Cade Cunningham had 22 points and eight assists or rebounds on 8 of 18 shooting, with five turnovers. A host thinks he scored several baskets during the 23-0 run.
“Full Opening Night Reaction - What Stars Made Major Statements?” at 19:58 · listen ↗
- Podcast Hardwood Knocks host · Prediction · around the league
MVP ballot, likely Grant Hughes by turn-taking: Wembanyama, then Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokic, Giannis and Cade Cunningham. He says it would be strange if Wemby didn't win.
“2026-27 NBA Awards Predictions AND Wild Card Picks” at 7:25 · listen ↗
- Podcast Locked On Pistons · 3 points ·
- Host observed Bickerstaff tell Ausar Thompson to have Collins move away so Thompson would set the screen. Cade Cunningham inbounded, went straight into a pick-and-roll with Thompson, and they scored. The host was unsure the screener was Collins ("I believe") and thought Duren was on the bench. at 7:47
- Offensive scheme change: the Pistons tried to get Cade Cunningham off the ball more and used Ausar Thompson more as a ball-handling playmaker. at 20:35
- Cade Cunningham had three first-half turnovers and five overall, several of them bad passes. The host says this must be cleaned up, especially with the push to move him off the ball. at 16:23
“Detroit Pistons STUN Boston Celtics With Unbelievable Second-Half Comeback Led By... Javonte Green!?” · listen ↗
- Story ESPN · Article ·
NBA season tips off with Pistons rallying to beat Celtics 121-113, spoiling Paul George's debut
- Podcast Locked On Pistons · 2 points ·
- Cade (Cunningham) had 22 points, and the host called him the guy who always leads the team. at 15:51
- Hunter said he values the roster's continuity: familiar players still young enough to be around when Cade reaches his peak. He said the team can keep tweaking and adding shooters. at 6:39
“PISTONS POSTCAST: COMEBACK WIN! Pistons BEAT Celtics | Postgame Show: Lindsey Hunter & Jake Riepma” · listen ↗
- Podcast Locked On NBA · Opinion · around the league
Wes said both Cade and Tatum could have MVP-caliber seasons. He wants to see them guard each other as primary ball handlers who are big, defending forwards.
“LeBron vs. Knicks! Wemby vs. Thunder! NBA Opening Day Preview” at 32:00 · listen ↗
- Podcast Numbers on the Board host · Prediction · around the league
Opening-night preview of Celtics vs. Pistons: Cade Cunningham will see Derrick White, some Paul George and some Hugo Gonzalez on defense.
“The NBA Is Back! + We Draft Potential First Time All-Stars | Numbers On The Board” at 1:53:04 · listen ↗
- Podcast It Is What It Is · 2 points ·
- A host (by turn-taking, Mace) makes his Pistons pick conditional on Cade Cunningham playing. This implies his availability for the opener is uncertain. at 17:42
- Cade Cunningham had an injury toward the end of last season. A host says it possibly cost him a shot at league MVP. at 19:09
“NBA Is Officially BACK, GM Survey Is WILD Disrespectful & Are The Knicks Being Slept On?” · listen ↗
- Podcast Locked On Wizards host · Report · around the league
In the second preseason game, against the Pistons, the Wizards dominated in the paint. A host noted Cunningham and Duren did not play.
“WIZARDS VS BUCKS PREVIEW: Can Washington Win the Opener? | Locked On Bucks Crossover” at 28:53 · listen ↗
- Podcast Gil's Arena · 2 points · partly checked episode
- Brendan Haywood picked the Pistons to win the opener because he prefers Cade Cunningham's versatility to Tatum's. at 59:51
- Evan Turner said Detroit relies on John Collins and Cade to make plays. He said the playoffs showed that physical, high-energy games lead to high-turnover games for Cade ('Cato'). at 1:06:21
“GIL'S ARENA NBA FANTASY DRAFT WITH $100K ON THE LINE ! Part 2” · listen ↗
- Podcast The Athletic NBA Daily host · Opinion · around the league
A host thinks Ausar Thompson has a chance to become Detroit's second option next to Cade Cunningham. Detroit was last year's 1 seed with 60 wins.
“Final Considerations Ahead of NBA Opening Night” at 5:37 · listen ↗
- Podcast Locked On NBA host · Open question · around the league
Stiles worries about who will help Cade Cunningham with playmaking in Detroit.
“BUY OR SELL NBA PREVIEW | Is the East WIDE OPEN | Who Can ACTUALLY Win the West?” at 15:26 · listen ↗
- Podcast Locked On Pistons · 4 points ·
- Host's biggest preseason takeaway was Cade playing off the ball. He describes a possession against the Raptors where Kevin Huerter brought the ball up in transition, then Cade attacked a gap off the catch and found Ausar Thompson for a dunk. at 6:35
- Guest thinks Okorie is clearly a more talented creator than Jenkins and the main answer for offense when Cade and Duren sit. He says Okorie could be a big boost to shot creation as a rookie. at 16:08
- Guest says Boston's ball pressure will test Cade's handle and is about as good a test as any for Jalen Duren's handle. He notes Boston has given Duren problems in the past. at 29:55
- Guest asks how usage will be split, whether Cade will play off the ball more, and who will pick up the shot-creation reps left by "tobias". He expects Duren to be the fallback option. at 30:24
“SEASON OPENER: Did Detroit Pistons Rookie Ebuka Okorie Do ENOUGH To Crack Rotation In Preseason?” · listen ↗
- Podcast Locked On Hawks host · Analysis · around the league
A host's analysis: John Collins is a play finisher, not a creator like Tobias Harris was. He should play well off Cade Cunningham and give Detroit a second pick-and-roll option.
“Central Division preview and over/unders (with Robby Kalland)” at 8:07 · listen ↗
- Podcast Locked On Pistons · 5 points ·
- In preseason the team has been trying a 'point Asar' look, with Ausar Thompson as ball handler and initiator and Cade off the ball. at 7:00
- The guest calls turnovers Cade Cunningham's biggest issue, saying he throws more bad passes than probably anyone in the league. at 9:19
- The guest says, while asking to be corrected if wrong, that Detroit was first in the league in steals last year but was not one of the best transition offenses, and that Cade is a big part of that. at 10:12
- The guest thinks Cade shot 63 percent at the rim last year. He calls it the best mark of Cade's career but still below the 50th percentile. at 11:01
- The host says Cade developed as a pull-up three-point shooter last season. He also felt Cade's whistle started to improve after the All-Star break, especially in the playoffs. at 12:10
“Will Detroit Pistons' UNIQUE YOUNG Trio Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren BREAK the Mold?” · listen ↗
- Podcast Locked On Wolves host · Report · around the league
Kuminga took the defensive assignment on Cade Cunningham; host calls it a mixed bag, with Cunningham having a pretty good game.
“Minnesota Timberwolves' Offense Starts Fast But Defense Falters In Dress Rehearsal vs. Pistons” at 19:29 · listen ↗
- Podcast Locked On Pistons · 10 points ·
- This was the first preseason game in which Cunningham, Thompson and Duren (the 'big three') played together. The host says their minutes together dominated the Timberwolves. at 19:18
- Cunningham had 14 points on 11 shots, plus 9 assists. at 13:28
- Ausar Thompson pushed the fast break after defensive rebounds while Cunningham ran to the corner or wing. On one play, Thompson looked off a pass to Kevin Huerter and hit Cunningham on a backdoor cut for an easy basket. at 14:35
- In transition, a wing set a flare screen for Cunningham, and Thompson hit him with a one-handed pass for a wide-open pull-up three. The host is unsure whether the screener was Huerter or Duncan Robinson. at 15:22
- Host analysis: Cunningham is the player being used most differently. The team is using his gravity off the ball (relocating, flares, backdoor cuts, attacking kickouts), not just on it. at 16:50
- The host's read: in this game, Cunningham's usage was cut down a little and split to Duren and Thompson. at 18:24
- The resulting pick and roll produced an easy Reed basket. The host corrected himself: Reed, not Duren, was on the floor. at 22:02
- The host would 'almost bet' that Thompson had close to as much on-ball usage as Cunningham. He notes that tracking data isn't available for preseason games. at 28:17
- Conditional prediction: if this off-ball usage holds in the regular season, the host thinks it will lead to Cunningham's most efficient season. at 20:37
- Host caveat: it won't look this good every game. Expect games where Thompson turns it over more, Cunningham misses shots, or Duren is less effective at the rim. at 33:06
“ELECTRIC: Detroit Pistons’ Jalen Duren DOMINATES, Cade Cunningham & Ausar Thompson Impress!” · listen ↗
- X Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) · Report ·
Jalen Duren will make his preseason debut tonight. Cade Cunningham will also start after missing Saturday's game. Pistons have their full lineup available for the first time
- Podcast Locked On Pistons host · Opinion ·
The host's hope for the season is that the team can trust Ausar Thompson to run the offense and pick-and-rolls, which would let Cade Cunningham move off the ball.
“MAILBAG: Realistic Expectations For Ausar Thompson, Future Of Ron Holland, and Potential Trade Targets?” at 7:12 · listen ↗
- Podcast Ku Khahil, Locked On Pistons · Report ·
Cade Cunningham did not play in game 2; no reason was given. The host says he hasn't seen Cade much this preseason.
“Ausar Thompson Poor Performance, ROUGH John Collins Small-Ball 5 Minutes FLASH in Game 2” at 18:56 · listen ↗
- Podcast Locked On Pistons · 4 points ·
- In the first preseason game, Cade (Cunningham) was off the ball much more. He still touched the ball, but it reached him in different ways rather than him bringing it up against full-court pressure. at 2:55
- Matt thinks Cade playing off the ball more will be a real change this season and will probably happen again. at 3:22
- Matt wants Cade getting the ball lower on the floor, especially post touches. at 4:19
- One speaker says Cade's post-ups were not really part of the offense last season, after being part of it two seasons ago, and thinks the team should go back to them a bit. at 5:55
“Will Moving Cade Cunningham OFF the Ball TRANSFORM the Detroit Pistons’ Offense?” · listen ↗
Podcast items are our short summaries of what was said, credited to who said it; posts and stories link to the original. Opinions and rumors are labelled as such and are not checked facts.
Game log
● = started2026-27 season
| Date | Opp | Min | Pts | Reb | Ast | 3PM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 25 | @PHI W | 33 min | 26 pts | 8 reb | 8 ast | 3 3PM |
| Oct 23 | @MIA W | 30 min | 16 pts | 2 reb | 8 ast | 2 3PM |
| Oct 20 | BOS W | 35 min | 22 pts | 4 reb | 8 ast | 1 3PM |
2025-26 season (last season) · 76 games
| Date | Opp | Min | Pts | Reb | Ast | 3PM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 17 | CLE L | 37 min | 13 pts | 4 reb | 5 ast | 0 3PM |
| May 15 | @CLE W | 42 min | 21 pts | 2 reb | 8 ast | 5 3PM |
| May 11 | @CLE L | 39 min | 19 pts | 3 reb | 6 ast | 2 3PM |
| May 9 | @CLE L | 39 min | 27 pts | 10 reb | 10 ast | 2 3PM |
| May 5 | CLE W | 42 min | 23 pts | 3 reb | 7 ast | 2 3PM |
| May 3 | ORL W | 39 min | 32 pts | 1 reb | 12 ast | 4 3PM |
| May 1 | @ORL W | 42 min | 32 pts | 10 reb | 3 ast | 2 3PM |
| Apr 29 | ORL W | 44 min | 45 pts | 4 reb | 5 ast | 5 3PM |
| Apr 27 | @ORL L | 39 min | 25 pts | 9 reb | 6 ast | 3 3PM |
| Apr 25 | @ORL L | 41 min | 27 pts | 5 reb | 9 ast | 3 3PM |
| Apr 22 | ORL W | 37 min | 27 pts | 6 reb | 11 ast | 1 3PM |
| Apr 19 | ORL L | 40 min | 39 pts | 5 reb | 4 ast | 3 3PM |
| Apr 12 | @IND W | 22 min | 7 pts | 8 reb | 14 ast | 1 3PM |
| Apr 10 | @CHA W | 28 min | 14 pts | 2 reb | 7 ast | 0 3PM |
| Apr 8 | MIL W | 26 min | 13 pts | 5 reb | 10 ast | 1 3PM |
| Mar 17 | @WAS W | 5 min | 6 pts | 2 reb | 0 ast | 0 3PM |
| Mar 15 | @TOR L | 37 min | 33 pts | 3 reb | 9 ast | 2 3PM |
| Mar 13 | MEM W | 30 min | 17 pts | 8 reb | 15 ast | 2 3PM |
| Mar 12 | PHI W | 28 min | 8 pts | 5 reb | 13 ast | 0 3PM |
| Mar 10 | @BKN W | 26 min | 21 pts | 3 reb | 15 ast | 4 3PM |
| Mar 8 | @MIA L | 35 min | 26 pts | 1 reb | 10 ast | 6 3PM |
| Mar 5 | @SAS L | 39 min | 26 pts | 4 reb | 8 ast | 4 3PM |
| Mar 3 | @CLE L | 39 min | 10 pts | 6 reb | 14 ast | 0 3PM |
| Mar 1 | @ORL W | 37 min | 29 pts | 6 reb | 11 ast | 2 3PM |
| Feb 27 | CLE W | 37 min | 25 pts | 10 reb | 7 ast | 0 3PM |
| Feb 25 | OKC W | 38 min | 29 pts | 4 reb | 13 ast | 3 3PM |
| Feb 23 | SAS L | 35 min | 16 pts | 6 reb | 10 ast | 2 3PM |
| Feb 21 | @CHI W | 30 min | 18 pts | 9 reb | 13 ast | 3 3PM |
| Feb 19 | @NYK W | 38 min | 42 pts | 8 reb | 13 ast | 5 3PM |
| Feb 11 | @TOR W | 30 min | 28 pts | 7 reb | 9 ast | 6 3PM |
| Feb 9 | @CHA W | 37 min | 33 pts | 9 reb | 7 ast | 2 3PM |
| Feb 6 | NYK W | 22 min | 11 pts | 5 reb | 7 ast | 1 3PM |
| Feb 5 | WAS L | 38 min | 30 pts | 8 reb | 8 ast | 0 3PM |
| Feb 3 | DEN W | 38 min | 29 pts | 2 reb | 10 ast | 2 3PM |
| Feb 1 | BKN W | 26 min | 18 pts | 4 reb | 12 ast | 1 3PM |
| Jan 30 | @GSW W | 35 min | 29 pts | 4 reb | 11 ast | 2 3PM |
| Jan 29 | @PHX L | 34 min | 26 pts | 3 reb | 7 ast | 2 3PM |
| Jan 27 | @DEN W | 36 min | 22 pts | 3 reb | 11 ast | 1 3PM |
| Jan 25 | SAC W | 30 min | 29 pts | 5 reb | 11 ast | 3 3PM |
| Jan 23 | HOU L | 38 min | 12 pts | 1 reb | 8 ast | 0 3PM |
| Jan 19 | BOS W | 40 min | 16 pts | 3 reb | 14 ast | 0 3PM |
| Jan 17 | IND W | 21 min | 16 pts | 3 reb | 5 ast | 2 3PM |
| Jan 15 | PHX W | 38 min | 10 pts | 4 reb | 11 ast | 0 3PM |
| Jan 5 | NYK W | 29 min | 29 pts | 3 reb | 13 ast | 3 3PM |
| Jan 4 | @CLE W | 37 min | 27 pts | 6 reb | 7 ast | 2 3PM |
| Jan 1 | MIA L | 40 min | 31 pts | 8 reb | 11 ast | 2 3PM |
| Dec 30 | @LAL W | 33 min | 27 pts | 5 reb | 11 ast | 1 3PM |
| Dec 28 | @LAC L | 32 min | 27 pts | 5 reb | 9 ast | 3 3PM |
| Dec 26 | @UTA L | 37 min | 29 pts | 5 reb | 17 ast | 3 3PM |
| Dec 23 | @SAC W | 39 min | 23 pts | 7 reb | 14 ast | 2 3PM |
| Dec 22 | @POR W | 26 min | 14 pts | 6 reb | 9 ast | 1 3PM |
| Dec 20 | CHA W | 36 min | 22 pts | 10 reb | 10 ast | 1 3PM |
| Dec 18 | @DAL L | 45 min | 29 pts | 10 reb | 9 ast | 2 3PM |
| Dec 15 | @BOS W | 36 min | 32 pts | 4 reb | 10 ast | 6 3PM |
| Dec 12 | ATL W | 23 min | 15 pts | 1 reb | 6 ast | 2 3PM |
| Dec 6 | MIL W | 32 min | 23 pts | 6 reb | 12 ast | 3 3PM |
| Dec 5 | POR W | 36 min | 29 pts | 4 reb | 9 ast | 2 3PM |
| Dec 3 | @MIL L | 35 min | 17 pts | 7 reb | 7 ast | 1 3PM |
| Dec 1 | ATL W | 38 min | 18 pts | 8 reb | 8 ast | 0 3PM |
| Nov 29 | @MIA W | 38 min | 29 pts | 4 reb | 8 ast | 1 3PM |
| Nov 28 | ORL L | 40 min | 39 pts | 13 reb | 11 ast | 4 3PM |
| Nov 26 | @BOS L | 36 min | 42 pts | 8 reb | 5 ast | 4 3PM |
| Nov 24 | @IND W | 36 min | 24 pts | 11 reb | 6 ast | 0 3PM |
| Nov 22 | @MIL W | 33 min | 29 pts | 8 reb | 10 ast | 3 3PM |
| Nov 18 | @ATL W | 34 min | 25 pts | 6 reb | 10 ast | 1 3PM |
| Nov 10 | WAS W | 45 min | 46 pts | 12 reb | 11 ast | 2 3PM |
| Nov 9 | @PHI W | 41 min | 26 pts | 4 reb | 11 ast | 1 3PM |
| Nov 7 | @BKN W | 33 min | 34 pts | 1 reb | 10 ast | 2 3PM |
| Nov 5 | UTA W | 37 min | 31 pts | 3 reb | 10 ast | 3 3PM |
| Nov 3 | @MEM W | 39 min | 33 pts | 5 reb | 8 ast | 3 3PM |
| Nov 1 | DAL W | 37 min | 21 pts | 6 reb | 18 ast | 2 3PM |
| Oct 29 | ORL W | 36 min | 30 pts | 6 reb | 10 ast | 1 3PM |
| Oct 27 | CLE L | 29 min | 12 pts | 5 reb | 4 ast | 1 3PM |
| Oct 26 | BOS W | 38 min | 25 pts | 3 reb | 8 ast | 2 3PM |
| Oct 24 | @HOU W | 39 min | 21 pts | 7 reb | 9 ast | 3 3PM |
| Oct 22 | @CHI L | 34 min | 23 pts | 7 reb | 10 ast | 1 3PM |
How his numbers change by situation, with four seasons of history →
Predictions about him
how calls are trackedWaiting 1
- Waiting Locked On Pistons (show): Cunningham will have his most efficient season yet, provided his off-ball usage holds.
2026-10-15 · Podcast · by 2027-04-12 Flag