Detroit is amidst a sports resurgence, and — thanks to the pairing of Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren — the Detroit Pistons are next.
Two years ago, the Pistons lost an NBA-record 28 consecutive games. Now, they’re the Eastern Conference’s powerhouse.
Cunningham and Duren have always been talented — but they were once trapped, grinding through a historic losing streak that tested their resolve and chemistry.
The duo made it through the crucible of 2023 and fortified its talents in 2024 on the Pistons’ way to a 30-win improvement.
A season ago, Cunningham averaged 26.1 points, 9.1 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game. He was named to the All-NBA third team and made his first All-Star appearance, while Duren averaged a double-double on 69.2% shooting from the field, the second-best number in the NBA.
The two developed chemistry throughout the Piston’s successful 2024-2025 season, and they became one of the most efficient pick-and-roll tandems in the NBA. Detroit rode Cunningham’s playmaking and Duren’s paint presence to a playoff appearance, solidifying Cunningham and Duren as one of the league’s most exciting duos.
Then, they were developing. A year later, they’re delivering. To limit Cunningham and Duren to just “exciting” would be an insult — they’re dominant.
The Cunningham-Duren pick-and-roll is the engine of Detroit’s offense and a nightmare for opposing defenses. Cunningham’s IQ and Duren’s athleticism create a two-man game that’s efficient yet electrifying, as the Pistons dunk more than any team in the NBA.
The duo has been the driving force in many of the Piston’s Eastern-Conference-leading 11 wins, especially in November.
On Nov. 1, against the Dallas Mavericks, Cunningham scored 21 and dished out 18 assists, while Duren recorded a double-double that featured his career-high 33 points.
Two games later, on Nov. 5, Cunningham and Duren both logged double-doubles against the Utah Jazz — Cunningham with 31 points and 10 assists and Duren with 22 of both points and rebounds.
In a statement win over the Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 7, they combined for 64 points, becoming the first Pistons teammates since 2015 to each post 30-point double-doubles in the same game.
Two days after that, Cunningham notched 26 points and 11 assists while Duren scored 21 with 16 rebounds to lead the Pistons to a second-half comeback win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Cade Cunningham is still the alpha.
“He’s our leader,” Duren said, “he’s gotten us to this point.”
As of Nov. 16, Cunningham averages 27.5 points per game, despite being in a three-point shooting slump. His 9.9 assists average is second-best in the NBA, and his 5.4 per contest rebounds place him top 15 amongst guards.
In a Nov. 11 overtime win against the Wizards, Cunningham became the second player in NBA history (joining Michael Jordan, if you’ve heard of him) to record a 40-point triple-double with 5 steals — he recorded 46 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists and 5 steals.
“He’s a bad man, and that’s it.” Head Coach JB Bickerstaff said. “When it’s winning time, you’ve got to have a guy like that on your team, and we are extremely fortunate to have him.”
Duren may have become the perfect Robin to Cunningham’s Batman.
As of Nov. 16, he averages 19.4 points and 12.0 rebounds — both career highs.
Duren turns Cunningham’s lob passes into alley-oop slams with remarkable efficiency. He has the most dunks in the NBA.
Very little usage is required for Duren to control a game. He does his work off the ball, which pairs perfectly with Cunningham’s on-ball style.
“He makes the game easier for me,” Cunningham said, “I know where he’s going to be, and he knows where I’m going to put it.”
If Duren continues to dominate the paint while the Pistons dominate the East, he could pave his way to an All-Star nod or the NBA’s Most Improved Player conversation.
Cunningham and Duren are making strides as individual players, and as a tandem on and off the court. Their joint leadership has propelled the Pistons to first place in the Eastern Conference.
“The way Cade and Jalen play off each other — that’s the foundation of what we’re building,” Bickerstaff said.
As that foundation strengthens, so does Detroit’s hope in its Pistons.