All-Star Cade Cunningham scores 40 points in Pistons' win over Mavs

Coty M. Davis, The Detroit News on Jan 31, 2025

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DETROIT — Cade Cunningham has played 90 career games at Little Caesars Arena and has heard his name announced as a starter each time since he joined the franchise as the No. 1 pick of the 2021 NBA draft. But Friday night, public address announcer John Mason introduced Cunningham as a 2025 NBA All-Star.

The introduction came ahead of the Detroit Pistons' inter-conference match against the Dallas Mavericks. Cunningham validated his All-Star selection by tying his season high with 40 points on 17-of-30 shooting, six rebounds and four assists to lead the Pistons to a 117-102 win.

He scored 16 points in the third quarter.

"It allows guys to understand that they belong," coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. "When you’re on a journey trying to reach the goals that you’re trying to reach, to get acknowledged by the League and to see that coaches respect what you’re doing, I think it says a lot.

"To be able to get that nod, I think it’s huge from a competent standpoint. These guys want the respect of their peers. Being an All-Star, being in the playoffs and being a champion gets you to the level to earn that respect. I know that’s what Cade is looking for."

The Pistons ended a three-game losing streak while improving their overall record to 24-24. They also concluded January with a 10-6 record, their best performance over any 31-day span in five seasons.

Cunningham delivered an All-Star performance against the Mavericks, but it wasn't a one-man show for the Pistons. Jalen Duren (16 points, 13 rebounds and five assists) played a key role in helping Detroit recover after trailing Dallas 21-10 early in the first quarter. Klay Thompson (13 points) got the Mavericks in an early rhythm by nailing two of his first three triples.

Malik Beasley scored all nine of his points in the first half, helping the Pistons rebound from a slow start. By halftime, they led 62-58. Detroit outscored Dallas 34-28 in the second period.

At the 3:57 mark of the third quarter, Paul Reed attempted a field goal to help the Pistons extend their halftime lead to 15 points (86-71). At the time, this was Detroit's biggest lead, but behind Kyrie Irving's play, the Mavericks went on a 12-3 run to cut into the Pistons' lead.

Irving scored 14 points in the third quarter and finished with a total of 28 points, six rebounds, and three assists. P.J. Washington recorded a double-double, contributing 22 points and 13 rebounds. By splitting a pair of free throws, Washington helped the Mavericks reduce their double-digit deficit to 93-91 at the 10:13 mark of the fourth quarter.

However, Marcus Sasser made a significant contribution for the Pistons, helping Detroit increase their lead to as much as 11 points (107-96) over the next four minutes. With 5:30 left, Sasser connected with Duren for a one-handed alley-oop.

Sasser scored 10 points off the bench. Tobias Harris added 17 points.

Observations and notes vs. Mavericks

— Stewart suspended vs. Mavericks: The Pistons were without Isaiah Stewart against the Mavericks due to a one-game suspension. The NBA handed down the punishment after Stewart received his sixth flagrant foul point of the season.

Stewart was assigned a flagrant 2 foul for an excessive push on Thomas Bryant during Wednesday's loss to the Indiana Pacers. In addition to the suspension, the league also fined Stewart $50,000 for inappropriate and objectionable gestures following his ejection.

— Ausar Thompson named to Rising Star game: Cunningham wasn't the only player honored for All-Star weekend. Before the game, the NBA announced that Ausar Thompson was one of the three replacements for the 2025 Castrol Rising Stars, scheduled for Friday, Feb. 14, at Chase Center.

— Hardaway plays against his former team: Tim Hardaway Jr. faced the Mavericks for the first time since being traded to the Pistons in June. He delivered a solid performance against his former team, finishing with nine points and five rebounds.

Up next

The Pistons will continue their six-game homestand on Sunday afternoon against the Chicago Bulls. The game will be the first of a back-to-back set that will end against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night. Tipoff between the Pistons and Bulls is slated for 3 p.m. at Little Caesars Arena.