Cade Cunningham’s 27-point triple-double ended in disappointment as the Detroit Pistons lost 116-109 to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Saturday at Rocket Arena in Cleveland. Despite mounting a late rally, the Pistons now trail 2-1 in the series after James Harden and Max Strus made key plays down the stretch.
The decisive moment came in the final minutes when Cleveland capitalized on turnovers, while Detroit’s offense stalled after briefly regaining momentum. Cunningham posted 27 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and eight turnovers in a high-usage playoff outing.
After the game, Cunningham pointed directly to defensive lapses when asked about Cleveland’s second-quarter surge. “Yeah, we let them get to their spots too easily. In the third quarter I thought we did much better, and down the stretch I thought we defended well.”
He added that the third quarter was the most structured stretch for Detroit. “In the fourth they found their rhythm again, but I felt the third quarter was really solid in terms of executing what we’ve been working on.”
Detroit’s second-half comeback brought the game within reach, but late mistakes shifted momentum back to Cleveland. Cunningham acknowledged the missed chance when discussing the closing moments.
“Yeah, definitely. We did our job getting back into the game. Fourth-quarter turnovers, a few transition opportunities we didn’t convert. A couple bad plays where we didn’t even get a shot up. Inbounding the ball, small things that were just careless. I won’t even say careless—I care a lot—but just poor plays that could have given us shots and a chance to win.”
Despite the Pistons grabbing 17 offensive rebounds and Cleveland scoring 27 points off turnovers, Cunningham expressed confidence in the team’s competitive spirit. “Well, there’s definitely optimism to answer your question. We feel good about where we are and how we’re playing.”
He also acknowledged the challenge of the road environment and Cleveland’s execution late in the game. “Obviously coming into their gym, they had energy. They hit shots they’re capable of making. The whistle naturally goes their way. But I thought we handled all that well and still put ourselves in position to win.”
When asked about the final minutes, Cunningham focused on execution rather than a single breakdown. “We did a lot of good things. Just things didn’t go our way… Making shots, getting stops, rebounding—that’s the name of the game.”
He praised his teammates’ contributions, especially off the bench. “He was great. Active all over the floor. Scored in his role. Just productive, everything he’s been doing,” Cunningham said of Paul Reed’s impact.
The Pistons star also addressed Cleveland’s late-game push led by James Harden, who scored seven straight points to close out the game. “Yeah, absolutely. He’s an all-time great. Isolation scoring—that’s what he does best.”
Cunningham emphasized preparation and mindset as the series continues. “I work hard. I stay grounded and I want to win. It’s that simple. I stay in the moment and do whatever is needed.”
With the series shifting back to Detroit, Game 4 now carries added pressure as the Pistons try to avoid losing control after letting a winnable game slip away.
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