By: Jennifer Portee
4/30/2026
Detroit wasn’t ready to go home, and Cade Cunningham made sure of it.
With their season hanging by a thread, Cunningham delivered a franchise playoff masterpiece, dropping 45 points and putting the Pistons on his back in a 116-109 win over the Orlando Magic in Game 5. No panic, no hesitation just buckets when it mattered most.
With 32 seconds left and Orlando getting within reach, Cunningham hit a smooth step-back jumper that felt like a dagger.
The Pistons came out with urgency from the jump, a clear response to earlier flat starts in the series. They controlled the game wire-to-wire, building a lead that stretched to 17 in the second quarter. But Orlando, as they’ve done all series, didn’t fold.
Paolo Banchero matched Cunningham punch-for-punch, scoring 45 points of his own, including six threes. With just over a minute left, he drilled another triple to cut the deficit to three, threatening to flip the script. But missed free throws 7 out of 12 came back to haunt him in a game where every point mattered.
While Cade was flawless at the line, going 14-for-14, that contrast told the story.
Detroit also got key support. Tobias Harris added 23 points, Jalen Duren shook off his slump with 12 points and nine boards, and Duncan Robinson chipped in 12. It wasn’t just a one-man show, but make no mistake, this was Cade’s night.
Orlando had its moments despite missing Franz Wagner down the stretch due to a calf strain. Anthony Black stepped up with 19, while Desmond Bane and Jalen Suggs added 18 and 10, respectively. Still, the Magic couldn’t overcome their history they’re now 0-10 all-time in Game 5s on the road.
Now the series heads back to Orlando, with the Magic still leading 3-2 and holding another chance to close it out at home.
But Detroit’s got history on its side.
Back in 2003, the Pistons also a No. 1 seed came back from a 3-1 deficit against this same Magic franchise. It was the first time it had ever been done in the NBA.
Over two decades later, they’re trying to run it back.
And if Cade Cunningham keeps playing like this? This series might not be over just yet.