Story perspectives

Cunningham's 45-Point Duel Beats Magic, Sets Pistons Record

5/1/2026

Summary

Cunningham Scores 45

The Detroit Pistons beat the Orlando Magic 116-109 on April 29, 2026, as Cade Cunningham scored 45.
Cade Cunningham and Paolo Banchero each scored 45 points, the first 45-plus duel between two No. 1 picks since 1961.
Cade Cunningham's 45 points set a Pistons playoff record, surpassing Dave Bing's 44 from 1968.
The Magic kept a 3-2 series lead while hosting Game 6 on May 1, 2026, at the Kia Center.

Summary

Cunningham Dominates

Pistons' offensive rating jumped to 119.6 in Game 5 after shooting 48.8% from the field, up from sub-100 in the first four games.
Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said he had never seen anything like Cade Cunningham’s performance and praised his “never-die” mentality.
Cade Cunningham’s five-year, $269 million extension, signed earlier this season, shows Detroit’s long-term commitment.
Orlando forward Franz Wagner missed Game 5 with a calf strain, leaving the Magic without a key scorer.

History

Historical Context

In 1968, guard Dave Bing poured 44 points in a Game 6 loss that set Detroit’s playoff scoring record during the Pistons’ first postseason since 1963, a milestone that survived 58 years. On April 29 2026, rookie star Cade Cunningham eclipsed it with 45 points in a Game 5 win over Orlando, underscoring the franchise’s resurgence under coach J.B. Bickerstaff.

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Cunningham Scores 45

The Detroit Pistons beat the Orlando Magic 116-109 on April 29, 2026, as Cade Cunningham scored 45.
Cade Cunningham and Paolo Banchero each scored 45 points, the first 45-plus duel between two No. 1 picks since 1961.
Cade Cunningham's 45 points set a Pistons playoff record, surpassing Dave Bing's 44 from 1968.
The Magic kept a 3-2 series lead while hosting Game 6 on May 1, 2026, at the Kia Center.

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