How the Knicks spoiled Pistons star Cade Cunningham's playoff debut

C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News on Apr 19, 2025

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NEW YORK — The Detroit Pistons’ remarkable 2024-25 turnaround was a collective effort, but success in their first-round playoff series against the Knicks hinges on Cade Cunningham’s ability to lead the charge. Following Game 1, it’s evident that the 23-year-old still has significant room for growth.

“It’s definitely a learning experience,” Cunningham said. “It’s something I’ve never done before or been a part of. … This game got away from us and I’m just ready for Game 2.”

Cunningham averaged 30.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 8.3 assists on 56/52/80 splits in four regular-season games against the Knicks. Mikal Bridges, his primary defender in those games, struggled to contain the first-time All-Star, as did the Knicks’ defense overall.

The playoffs, however, are a completely different beast.

Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau responded with a tactical adjustment in Game 1. Instead of Bridges, OG Anunoby was assigned to guard Cunningham, and he was kept in a box by the athletic forward for most of the game.

In his playoff debut, Cunningham recorded a game-high 12 assists but was held to 21 points on 8-for-21 shooting in the Pistons’ 123-112 loss. Four of his game-high six turnovers came in the second half.

“OG is a good defender, but Cade means more to us than just his final point tally,” head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “When you look at his assist numbers, how he created for everybody else, how he rebounds the basketball, those types of things… Obviously, we can improve on the turnovers and those types of things.”

While Bridges and Anunoby have comparable wingspans, Anunoby’s 6-8, 232-pound frame offers far greater physicality, visibly disrupting Cunningham. The Knicks further stifled Cunningham by crowding the paint with multiple defenders whenever he drove to the rim.

Defensively, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson typically acted as the hedgers or “show men” on ball screens involving Cunningham. Their active hands disrupted the ball-handler, forcing several of his turnovers.

Cunningham struggled on long jumpers (1 for 4 from deep), including multiple air-balls, underscoring the impact of Anunoby’s seemingly relentless defensive pressure. And although he scored 13 points in the fourth quarter, his 6-for-17 shooting was a clear victory for the Knicks’ defense.

“They sent bodies at me more than anything,” Cunningham said. “They made sure that every time I came off [screens], they were checking me and sending bodies at me all the time, trying to get the ball out of my hands. They were on the same accord today; I just wasn’t able to pick them apart enough.”

Saturday marked Cunningham’s first real taste of playoff basketball. And as the Pistons’ primary offensive weapon, he was the focal point of the Knicks’ scouting report. Despite his offensive challenges, his coaches and teammates believe he performed admirably under the circumstances.

Game 1 provided valuable lessons for Cunningham, despite the loss. For the Pistons to contend in this series, he must effectively apply those lessons in Game 2 and beyond.

“I thought he did good,” Pistons forward Tobias Harris said. “For him, there’s some adjustments that myself and him just talked about that he can make out there. But overall, in terms of doing the right thing for the group, he’s always in a pure position night after night.

“The guy wants to win more than anybody, wants to lead this team in the way he’s done all season long. And it’s only going to get better for him game by game with experience.”