Cade Cunningham, Marcus Smart Exchange Jerseys After Epic Battle on Friday

Two former Big 12 Players of the Year went head to head in the Northeast on Friday as ex-Cowboys Marcus Smart and Cade Cunningham — of the Celtics and Pistons, respectively — battled it out in Boston.

The Celtics got the 114-103 win but it was an epic showdown between the former Cowboys greats. Cunningham continued his recent hot streak with 27 points, eight boards and six assists in the loss, while Smart turned in 20 points, five assists, three boards and five (!) steals before exchanging jerseys postgame.

For Cunningham, a rookie who was drafted No. 1 overall by Detroit, it marked his 10th game of 25 or more points this season, joining the legend Isiah Thomas as the only Piston to accomplish that before their 21st birthday. It also marked the sixth consecutive game Cunningham has scored at least 20 points after a sluggish start in the scoring department earlier in the season.

“We’ve got a good synergy going,” Cunningham said earlier this week. “I feel comfortable with the ball in my hands. It’s my favorite hobby. I love it more than anything.”

Cunningham leads all rookies in points per game (16.8) and ranks second in assists per game (5.2) among rookies behind only OKC Thunder rookie Josh Giddey.