Cade Cunningham Sets Pistons Playoff Record to Fend Off Magic

Cade Cunningham has blossomed into one of the NBA’s best players, and he almost single-handedly fended off the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night.

Detroit beat Orlando 116-109 in Game 5 of the teams’ first round series, pulling the Pistons within 3-2. Cunningham scored 45 points, a Pistons playoff record, in 44 minutes on the floor.

He hit a big bucket with about 30 seconds to play to put a dagger in the Magic. A 2-point, step-back jumper made it 114-109.

CADE CUNNINGHAM IS CLUTCH 💰 pic.twitter.com/uFFVKGs9Zz

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 30, 2026

The game turned into a battle between Cunningham, the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and Paolo Banchero, the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Cunningham: 45 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists
Banchero: 45 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists

Cunningham has had some turnover woes in this series, but he’s been asked to be Superman and then some for the Pistons. He’s averaging 32.6 points, 5.8 boards and 7.0 rebounds a game in the series.

Now in his fifth season in the NBA, Cunningham averaged 23.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 9.9 assists a game during the regular season while leading the once-hapless Pistons to the 1 seed in the East.

The series heads back to Orlando for Game 6 on Friday. For Cunningham and the Pistons, lose and the season is over, or win and get Game 7 back in Detroit.

“I don’t want the season to end, gotta put it all on the line.” 😤

Cade Cunningham talks about his mindset of wanting to stay away from elimination tonight. pic.twitter.com/CpBHKrEAKC

— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 30, 2026