Cade Cunningham took over late to guide the Detroit Pistons past a stubborn Atlanta Hawks team, cementing their hold atop the Eastern Conference.
When the game tightened, the Detroit Pistons seemed to have a clear plan: get the ball to Cade Cunningham.
And the young star delivered.
Taking control in the final minutes, Cunningham hit clutch shots that carried the Pistons to a nail-biting 99-98 escape over the past the visiting Atlanta Hawks for back-to-back wins on Tuesday, December 2 (PH time).
And another one…
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) December 2, 2025
The 24-year-old scored eight of his 18 points in the final quarter on top of finishing with eight rebounds, eight assists, five steals, and three steals in a stellar two-way performance.
Trailing 84-89 with 5:35 remaining, Detroit went on an 11-0 run to grab a 95-89 lead with 2:37 left.
After consecutive triples by the Hawks tied the game at 95, Cunningham’s leaning midrange jumper, followed by an acrobatic reverse layup, gave the Pistons some breathing room at 99-95 with 17 seconds remaining.
Jalen & Nickeil back-to-back threes TIE GAME
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 2, 2025
FOURTH QUARTER CADE https://t.co/CQtPAyIEbn
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) December 2, 2025
Detroit managed to pull through, improving to an East-best 17-4 record despite committing 23 turnovers and shooting just 5-of-23 from deep.
Jalen Duren chipped a solid 21-point, 11-rebound double-double as the Pistons also dominated the boards, holding a 60-34 rebounding advantage.
Meanwhile, Jalen Johnson led the Hawks with a game-high 29 points, following a career-high 41-point performance just the night before.
And now Jalen with a baker’s dozen in the 3rd 🍩🍩🍩 https://t.co/EyK7XHpOe0
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 2, 2025
Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 26, but Atlanta, playing the second game of a back-to-back, faltered down the stretch and dropped to 13-9.
Next up, Detroit hits the road to take on the Milwaukee Bucks (9-12), as Atlanta looks to rebound at home against the struggling LA Clippers (5-15)
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.