Cade Cunningham put together an impressive playoff debut. He joined Luka Doncic (2020) and Oscar Robertson (1962) as the only players to average 25 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists in their first playoff series in NBA history, per ESPN Research. He said he was most proud of the jump he made in leading the team as a facilitator and teammate. “We proved to ourselves that what we have in the room works and can be very successful in the NBA,” he said.
“I think at the same time, we proved that to the rest of the league as well that when they come play Detroit, it’s going to be a dogfight and you’re going to have to come play the whole 48 and if you get up early on, we’re going to find our way back into the game and give ourselves a shot to win every night. So I think that’s the thing that the whole league has taken notice, too, and just the belief in the locker room has grown a ton.”