Cunningham states MVP case with 42 points in Pistons win at Knicks
Cade Cunningham staked his claim for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award with a dazzling 42-point display as the Detroit Pistons swept the season series against the New York Knicks with a 126-111 victory.
The 23-year-old guard added 13 assists and eight rebounds to his tally, dominating proceedings at Madison Square Garden.
It was a statement performance from the league leaders, who secured the win despite missing key frontcourt players through suspension.
‘If you don’t agree, that’s your opinion’
Cunningham had previously suggested individual accolades would naturally follow team success, but was more direct regarding his credentials on Thursday.
Having led Detroit to the NBA’s best record, the playmaker believes his performances now speak for themselves.
“I think I am [MVP],” Cunningham told ESPN. “And if you don’t agree with me, that’s your opinion.”
The former number one draft pick admitted he wanted voters to analyse the game intelligently rather than relying on him to campaign verbally.
“It comes from doing the things I said, what I needed to do to be in that conversation,” he added.
Pistons overcome suspensions to dominate
Detroit arrived in New York without their primary big men, Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, following an altercation in Charlotte before the All-Star break.
Despite those absences, the visitors stifled the Knicks’ offence, restricting one of the league’s most prolific perimeter teams to just eight three-pointers from 35 attempts.
New York, looking for revenge after facing a sweep in the season series, missed 15 consecutive shots from distance during a difficult first half.
“This isn’t an us versus the Knicks thing,” said Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff. “The majority of our games, we’ve played the same way… This is just basketball for us.”
Detroit tighten grip on top seed
The victory improves Detroit’s record to 41-13, cementing their status as the NBA’s best team having recently overtaken defending champions the Oklahoma City Thunder.
They now hold a six-game lead over the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference standings.
Cunningham’s dominance was total, overcoming defensive attention from OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges to shoot five-of-11 from deep while adding two blocks.
“I don’t think you pick an MVP based off just one game,” added Bickerstaff. “He’s been this way for the entire season. He’s dominated both ends of the floor and impacted winning in a major way.”