Cunningham Scores 52 to Lead Pistons Past Wizards in 2OT
Detroit’s point guard broke the team’s single-game scoring record while Washington’s Trae Young and rookie AJ Dybantsa forced two overtimes with final-second shots.
By Charles Reed ·
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham scored 52 points to break the franchise’s single-game scoring record, helping his team defeat the Washington Wizards 144-140 in double overtime on Thursday. The Pistons extended their recent dominance against Washington, securing a win in four days against the same opponent.
Cunningham’s performance marked a historic moment in the league. He recorded 11 assists and zero turnovers, becoming the first player to score at least 50 points and distribute the ball 10 times without a turnover since the NBA began tracking that statistic in the 1977-78 season. His 52 points surpassed the previous franchise record of 57 set by Jerry Stackhouse in 2001, marking the highest scoring night for a Piston in that span.
The Wizards managed to keep the game close until the very end. Trae Young hit a three-pointer as time expired to force the first overtime. In the second extra period, rookie AJ Dybantsa made a midrange shot with less than a second remaining to send the contest into double overtime. Washington had scored the first seven points of the first overtime to lead 128-121, but Detroit reclaimed the lead shortly after.
Ausar Thompson provided a statistical anchor for Detroit with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. This marked his first career triple-double. Thompson and Cunningham became the fourth set of teammates in NBA history to record their first career 50-point game and first career triple-double in the same contest.
For Washington, the loss marked its sixth straight defeat. Trae Young finished with 37 points on 8-of-23 shooting and added 14 assists. Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr both scored 30 points. This was the first time since 1969 that three players on a team scored 30 or more points in a single game. Sarr shot 10-of-10 from the field during regulation.
Cunningham finished 16-of-25 from the field and 17-of-18 at the free-throw line. Daniss Jenkins added 21 points for Detroit before fouling out. Kyshawn George scored 14 points for Washington before also leaving the game due to fouls.
