Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons delivered a strong preseason performance, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-106 on October 14. The victory at Target Center showed the team's offensive firepower as they continue their exhibition schedule ahead of the regular season.
Cunningham's 2025-26 campaign was a breakout. He averaged 23.9 points, 9.9 assists, and 5.5 rebounds, leading the Pistons to 60 wins and the top seed in the Eastern Conference. His efforts earned him an All-Star selection and, a spot on the All-NBA First Team. A fluke collapsed lung in March threatened to derail his playoffs, but he returned with a vengeance. Cunningham upped his scoring to 28.1 points per game in the postseason and shot 40% from three-point range over two rounds.
His style of play draws high praise. Analyst Jason Timph compared him to LeBron James during his second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers. "He's strangling the pace," Timph said on the All-NBA Podcast. "He always feels like he's in control of the flow of the game." Timph also highlighted Cunningham's unique physicality as a primary ball handler, noting his "downhill force" when attacking the rim.
Beyond his offensive creation, Cunningham provides elite defensive versatility. At 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds, he can switch across multiple positions. He's developed into a disruptive defender, especially in transition where he's known for chase-down blocks. Few guards in the NBA offer his combination of on-ball pressure and rim protection. This two-way impact allows the Pistons to deploy other defenders like Ausar Thompson more aggressively.
This profile makes Cunningham a rare archetype: a true two-way playmaker with size. That skillset is becoming less common in today's league, making him a valuable throwback player. He methodically dictates the game's tempo every night, a skill that will be tested in a retooled Eastern Conference. With improved perimeter shooting now on the roster, Cunningham's playmaking could reach another level, especially when center Jalen Duren returns to the lineup.
The team's exhibition results have been mixed. Before the win over Minnesota, they lost to the Washington Wizards 114-108 on October 10. Their preseason opener was a narrow 109-107 victory over the Phoenix Suns on October 5. The focus now shifts to their final tune-up.
The Pistons' next and final preseason fixture is at home against the Toronto Raptors on October 16. It's the last chance to integrate new pieces and solidify rotations before the regular season tips off. For Cunningham, it's another opportunity to fine-tune his command of an offense that looks poised to be more balanced and dangerous than last year's version.
