Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons Extend Winning Streak to 11 in Gritty Win Over Hawks
In the heart of Atlanta, where the ghosts of basketball past linger in the rafters of State Farm Arena, the Detroit Pistons wrote another chapter in what is quickly becoming a legendary season. This wasn’t just a game; it was a statement. With a final score of 120-112, the Pistons didn’t just beat the Atlanta Hawks—they outlasted them, showcasing the kind of resilience and heart that turns a good team into a great one. This victory, their 11th straight, feels different. It feels real.
The air in the arena was thick with anticipation. Could the Pistons, a team rewriting its own narrative after years of struggle, keep the magic alive? This was a classic showdown: an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object. For 48 minutes, the hardwood became a battleground of wills.
Cade Cunningham: The Heartbeat of the Detroit Pistons
Cade Cunningham is not just playing basketball; he’s conducting an orchestra of controlled chaos. Returning from a three-game hiatus due to a hip injury, he stepped onto the court not with hesitation, but with the fire of a leader who knows his team needs him. And deliver, he did. With 25 points and 10 assists, Cunningham carved up the Hawks’ defense with the precision of a master surgeon.
This performance etched his name into the Detroit Pistons’ history books, making him the first player in franchise history to record 25+ points and 10+ assists in five consecutive games. It’s a statistic that speaks volumes, but it doesn’t capture the full picture. It doesn’t show the clutch jumper he drained to silence a surging Hawks crowd or the calm he exuded when the game threatened to slip away. He is the engine, the floor general, and the undeniable heartbeat of this team.
Duren and the Relentless Pistons Attack
This Pistons team is far from a one-man show. Jalen Duren, a force of nature in the paint, was a monster on both ends of the floor. Finishing with 24 points and 8 rebounds, Duren played with a ferocity that the Hawks simply couldn’t match.
The supporting cast was just as crucial. Duncan Robinson and rookie Daniss Jenkins, who has been a revelation, each chipped in 14 points, hitting timely shots that kept the Hawks at bay. Isaiah Stewart battled down low, grabbing 9 rebounds and adding 13 points of his own. This is the new identity of the Detroit Pistons: a team that plays for each other, where every player is a threat, and the effort is non-negotiable.
Hawks’ Valiant Effort Falls Short
You have to give credit where it’s due. The Atlanta Hawks, depleted by injuries to key players like Trae Young and sophomore Zaccharie Risacher, fought with everything they had. Jalen Johnson was nothing short of spectacular, flirting with a triple-double and finishing with 25 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists. Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 26 points, relentlessly attacking the basket and trying to will his team to victory.
At one point, the Hawks clawed their way back from a 19-point deficit, cutting the lead to just one. The arena was electric, the momentum had swung, and it felt like the Pistons’ incredible run might finally be coming to an end. But this is where championship DNA is forged. In the face of adversity, Detroit didn’t just bend; it refused to break. They responded like a veteran team, executing on offense and tightening the screws on defense to secure the hard-fought win.
The Dawn of a New Era in Detroit
For the first time since 2008, the Detroit Pistons have won 11 consecutive games. Let that sink in. This isn’t a fluke. This is the culmination of smart drafting, savvy coaching, and a culture built on grit and determination. They are now 13-2 on the season, sitting atop the Eastern Conference, and playing with a swagger that has been missing from the Motor City for over a decade. The league is officially on notice. The Detroit Pistons are not just back; they’re here to contend.
