NBA Update: Cade Tops KD, then Lebron, Wins Eastern Conference Player of the Week

If you’ve not been following Cade Cunningham and the Pistons this season, you should start.

The former Cowboy and No. 1 overall pick has been on a tear in his fourth season, averaging career highs across the board. He’s scoring 23.9 points per game to go along with 9.7 assists and seven rebounds.

This week, Cade was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week after a pair of huge performances against a pair of all-time greats in Kevin Durant and then Lebron James. Cade got the better of both of them.

In Phoenix, Cade dropped 28 points and 13 assists, and got the 133-125 win. He also garnered high praise from KD.

Cade Cunningham with the dagger 3 over KD!

Cade had 28 PTS, 13 AST, 2 BLK, 2 STL
KD had a season-high 43 PTS in the losspic.twitter.com/P83VDjYHC9

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) December 22, 2024

Kevin Durant spoke on his relationship with Cade Cunningham following Saturday’s loss.

“It’s always a joy to play against him. He doesn’t treat me like an old head.”

Cunningham had 28 points and 13 assists, with 13 of those points coming in the fourth quarter. pic.twitter.com/fMFXTMp8Jh

— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) December 22, 2024

Then, two days later, Cade tossed in a 20-piece to go along with 10 more assists in a 117-114 win at the Lakers versus Lebron.

When you make the Cade Cunningham All-Star reel, please make sure to include him skating around Austin Reaves with an around the back dribble before finishing over LeBron James at the basketpic.twitter.com/9DAlsuedsy

— Hot Hand Theory (@HotHandTheory) December 24, 2024

Over the week, Cunningham averaged 27 points, 5.3 rebounds and 12.7 assists and Detroit went 2-1. Cade and the Pistons will return to action Thursday when they host Sacramento at 9 p.m. CST.

Around the Association

• Lindy Waters and the Warriors are currently in eighth place in the West at 15-13, and the former OSU star is averaging 5.9 points and 2.6 rebounds. He’s averaging a hair under 18 minutes per game and has started eight games this season.

Check out this great feature on Waters.

From Oklahoma to The Bay—Lindy Waters III shares his Native heritage and basketball journey 🏀 pic.twitter.com/WZzRffh92O

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) December 23, 2024

Lindy and the Warriors will next play on Christmas Day, when they host the Lakers. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. CST.

• Marcus Smart is questionable after suffering an injury to this right index finger. He’s averaging 9.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. The Grizzlies are back in action at 7 p.m. Thursday when they host the Raptors.