Cade Cunningham is playing high-level basketball right from the start. It is an aspect of the Detroit Pistons ' 2025-26 campaign that teammate Jalen Duren is positive and excited about.
Now playing in his fifth year in the NBA after being selected first overall in the 2021 Draft out of Oklahoma State, Cunningham has been on a tear to begin the ongoing campaign. He is averaging 27.5 points and 9.9 assists, both career-highs, to go along with 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals through their first 11 games.
More telling, with him showing the way, the Pistons currently lead the Eastern Conference with a 9-2 record, a significant jump from their 14-68 season from two years ago. Duren, now in his fourth year in the Motor City, gave massive props to Cunningham, crediting him for inspiring and giving them confidence to compete hard every game.
"He's the one who is going to lead this team, whatever we do," said Duren, who is the Pistons' second-leading scorer and leading rebounder..
"And to see him fight through and be the great player he is gave us the confidence," he added.
Cunningham finished with a triple-double of 46 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in the win. He spiced it up by adding five steals and two blocks in 45 minutes.
Cunningham has been on a steady ascent in his young NBA career and is widely regarded as one of the league's future superstars. Last season, after signing a five-year, $224-million contract extension with the Pistons, he had a breakout year. He was named to his first All-Star Game and was part of the All-NBA Third Team.
Detroit also had a great season, returning to the playoffs for the first time in five seasons and automatically qualifying as the sixth seed with a 44-38 record.
They went on to lose to the higher-seeded New York Knicks in the opening round of the playoffs, but not before taking the series to six games, with Cunningham averaging all-around numbers of 25 points, 8.7 assists, 8.3 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.3 blocks.
Even exciting for the Pistons, Cunningham has a player who has seemingly bought into what the franchise is all about and what it wants to accomplish.
I got lucky and fell into a franchise and a city that has the same mentality that I felt it took for me to take the next step," Cunningham opened up about it in a recent session with members of the media.
Making the future of the Pistons even more promising is that it is not only Cunningham who has become a valuable piece. Duren continues to be an emerging force on both ends in the center spot. Young players Ausar Thompson and Ronald Holland II , for their part, are steady but surely carving their niche.
Detroit also boasts a veteran presence in Tobias Harris , Duncan Robinson , Isaiah Stewart , Caris LeVert , and Javonte Green to round things out. How far the Pistons will go this season remains to be seen. One thing is definite, though, with Cunningham leading, things will continue to look up.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Nov 12, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
