Cade Cunningham Keeps Pistons Alive as Lakers Struggle in NBA Playoffs

Cade Cunningham scored a franchise playoff record of 45 points to lead the top-seeded Detroit Pistons to a 116-109 victory over the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic on April 29, 2026. The win prevents Detroit from being eliminated in the first round of the NBA playoffs, though the Pistons still trail 3-2 in the best-of-seven series.

Cunningham’s performance came shortly after his return from a collapsed lung. He played nearly 44 minutes during the Game 5 matchup in Detroit to steer his team away from a first-round exit.

Game Progression and Key Statistics

Detroit began the game with high energy, establishing a strong presence on the boards with 17 rebounds in the first quarter. This early dominance helped the Pistons build a 12-point lead.

Cunningham drove the offensive momentum, scoring 20 points in the second quarter alone. Despite the strong start, Orlando managed to reduce the deficit to six points by half-time.

Following the break, Orlando had opportunities to take the lead but missed two go-ahead three-pointer attempts. Detroit capitalized on those misses to extend their lead and secure the victory.

On-Court Matchups

The contest featured several key individual battles. Cunningham spent much of the game outdueling Magic star Paolo Banchero. During the second half, Detroit defenders Isaiah Stewart and Ausar Thompson collaborated to pressure Banchero, leading to a turnover.

Cunningham faced a rotating defense from Orlando, including coverage from guard Anthony Black in the second half and center Wendell Carter Jr. In the first half. He also navigated defense from forward Tristan da Silva and forward Jamal Cain during the first half of the game. On the offensive end, Pistons forward Tobias Harris contributed by reading the defense to assist Cunningham’s scoring efforts.

We dug ourselves a big hole, it’s going to be a tough one to climb out of, but we handled business tonight.

Cade Cunningham

We’re at our best when our backs are against the wall,

Cade Cunningham

Broader NBA Playoff Developments

While the Pistons extended their run, other first-round series saw varying results on April 29, 2026. The Los Angeles Lakers failed to close out their series against the Houston Rockets, with LeBron James recording 25 points in the effort.

In another matchup, the Cleveland Cavaliers secured a comeback victory to take a 3-2 lead in their series against the Toronto Raptors.

The Detroit Pistons must now win three consecutive games to advance past the first round after dominating the Eastern Conference during the regular season but struggling in the early stages of the post-season.