NBA Playoffs: Cunningham and Banchero Duel with 45 Points Each as Pistons Force Game 6
Apr 29, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) dribbles on Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black (0) in the second half uring game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
The tension was palpable at Little Caesars Arena when Paolo Banchero knocked down a clutch 3-pointer, cutting Detroit’s lead to just three points with over a minute remaining. The Magic had clawed back from a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit, threatening to eliminate the top-seeded Pistons and end their season.
But Cade Cunningham had other plans. The young star drove right, got Desmond Bane sliding backward, and pulled up for a 16-foot fadeaway with 32 seconds left. The shot found nothing but net, putting the finishing touches on a franchise-record 45-point performance and keeping Detroit’s championship hopes alive with a 116-109 victory.
A Night for the History Books
Cunningham and Banchero became just the second pair of players in NBA playoff history to each score 45 points in the same game. The only other duo to achieve this feat was Donovan Mitchell (51 points) and Jamal Murray (50 points) in the 2020 first round between the Jazz and Nuggets.
« That’s what’s up, » Cunningham said when told about joining Murray and Mitchell in the record books. « I’m sure it was a great game. Hope the fans enjoy it, but it was a great win for us. Not everybody is blessed with those types of opportunities to have pressure and things on the line like that. A lot of times I feel undeserving of how great of moments I get to be a part of. Just try to make the most of it. »
Cunningham’s 45 points broke Dave Bing’s franchise playoff record of 44 points set in 1968. The performance was even more impressive considering he shot a perfect 14-of-14 from the free-throw line and scored 20 points in the second quarter alone.
Without Franz Wagner, who missed Game 5 due to a right calf strain, Banchero knew he had to step up for the eighth-seeded Magic. He delivered spectacularly, making 17 of 31 shots including six 3-pointers, though he struggled at the free-throw line, missing seven of 12 attempts.
« In the heat of the moment, you’re not really thinking about it, » Banchero said of his duel with Cunningham. « You’re just thinking about getting the win. But sure, one day [I’ll] look back and be like, ‘That was a hell of a game.’ But me and him have been going at it since AAU days. So no surprise there that happened. »
The victory sends the series back to Orlando for Game 6, where Detroit will try to force a decisive Game 7. For Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff, this performance looked more like the team that won 60 games during the regular season.
« We come out swinging, we come out kicking, we come out scratching, biting, clawing, whatever’s necessary to get it done, » Bickerstaff said. « And that spirit carries over. And the want to not let your teammate down carries over. »
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