The Detroit Pistons came off losing Game 3 against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a 116-109 result, but they still maintained a 2-1 series lead after winning their first two home games. Following these events, Cade Cunningham remained confident in the level of performance the team had shown.
Cunningham reflected on the loss after the game, per reporter Omari Sankofa II. “There’s definitely optimism, to answer your question. We feel great about where we’re at, we feel great about the way we’re playing basketball,” Cunningham said.
Cunningham and the Pistons were enjoying an incredible 2025-26 NBA campaign, winning 60 games to secure the top seed in the East. Despite trailing 3-1 to the Orlando Magic in the first round, they won the last three games to earn their first series win since 2008.
The Pistons’ moment
The Pistons are at their best after so many rebuilding seasons, kept the momentum going against Cleveland, taking a 2-0 series lead after taking Games 1 and 2. They had a chance to go up 3-0, but Donovan Mitchell and James Harden stopped them from stunning the Cavaliers on the road.
Cade Cunningham of Detroit Pistons.
Cade Cunningham and the Pistons were close to winning Game 3. However, they needed to clean up their turnovers and other mistakes that cost them against the Cavaliers.
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Detroit started slow as the team went down 64-48 at halftime. They fought back with a 33-19 display in the third quarter, but Cleveland made more big plays down the stretch to secure the home victory.
Cunningham’s numbers
Five players scored in double digits for Detroit in the loss, including Cunningham. He led the team with 27 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and one steal. He shot 10-of-27 from the field, including 2-of-6 from beyond the arc, and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line. Tobias Harris followed with 21 points and five rebounds, Duncan Robinson had 15 points and five steals, while Jalen Duren and Paul Reed added 11 points each.
