Cade Cunningham powered Detroit’s 116-94 Game 7 win over Orlando, sending the Pistons to the Eastern Semifinals for the first time since 2008.
Cade Cunningham didn’t just help the Detroit Pistons survive Game 7, he owned it, turning a season-defining moment into a statement as Detroit beat the Orlando Magic 116-94 to complete a remarkable 3-1 series comeback.
The top seed had plenty of pressure after dropping the opening games and seeing the series slip away. but Misryoum reports that Detroit responded with poise in the final stretch. taking the last three contests to force a winner-take-all showdown.. In the decisive game. Cunningham set the tone from start to finish. finishing with 32 points on 56% shooting along with 12 assists for a double-double.
His impact mattered because Detroit didn’t merely need points, it needed control, and his all-around performance helped the Pistons dictate tempo and keep Orlando from settling into a comfortable rhythm.
Tobias Harris also delivered a major offensive push. scoring 30 points on efficient shooting and adding a spark from deep with five made three-pointers.. Duncan Robinson contributed 10 points with six rebounds and three steals, while Jalen Duren posted a double-double of 15 points and 15 rebounds.. Dannis Jenkins added 16 points off the bench as Detroit’s advantage grew clearer as the night went on.
Orlando’s Paolo Banchero still produced in a way that suggested he was fighting to keep the season alive. leading all scorers with 38 points and nine rebounds.. Yet the Magic lacked enough help from their broader starting group. which combined for 40 points. leaving Banchero’s output without the same level of support.
That imbalance is what ultimately decided the matchup: when one star is carrying the load, the series can last longer, but closing it out often requires depth on both ends—and Detroit found enough of it at the right time.
With the win, the Pistons advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals, marking their first trip to the second round since 2008.. Cunningham’s steady production throughout the series stood out just as much as the Game 7 finale. as he was the team’s high scorer in all seven games and averaged 32.4 points per contest.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Eastern bracket is now shaping up as the next opponent for Detroit will come from the Cavaliers vs. Raptors series, with the first-round picture still set to be finalized. Cleveland hosts Toronto in Game 7, and the winner will move on to face Detroit.
For Detroit fans, this matters beyond the scoreboard: turning a 3-1 deficit into a Game 7 victory reshapes how the postseason can be approached, and it places the Pistons back on the Eastern stage with momentum and a clearer identity.