Cade Cunningham talks Detroit Pistons win vs Knicks in playoff rematch
Cade Cunningham talks Detroit Pistons win vs Knicks in playoff rematch at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.
Count ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith among the believers in the Detroit Pistons.
In an episode of ESPN’s “First Take” televised on Tuesday, Jan. 6, Smith – a longtime New York Knicks fan – responded to the Pistons’ 121-90 win over the Knicks on Monday, Jan. 5, by saying the Pistons have “something special” brewing.
“I’m very concerned about the Detroit Pistons,” he said. “They got leadership, they got athleticism, they got defense, they got perimeter shooting, and they have a closer. Cade Cunningham is that dude.”
Cunningham had a vintage performance Monday night, leading the Pistons in points (29) and assists (13) in Detroit’s dominating win over the then No. 2 team in the Eastern Conference. And even with key players – center Jalen Duren, forward Tobias Harris and guard Caris LeVert – out, the Pistons still played like the team to beat in the conference.
“They’re the team who can beat anybody,” Smith said. “Detroit can win the championship. The Detroit Pistons, as presently constructed, could win the ‘ship.”
Beating the Knicks by such a large margin is a significant milestone for the 27-9 Pistons, who lost to New York in a hard-fought, six-game series in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs. But according to Smith, the Pistons don’t seem to be afraid to take on the team that vanquished them the previous season.
“These brothers want the Knicks. They would actually be disappointed if they went to the Finals and they didn’t have to go through New York to do it,” he said. “They sent the message to the Knicks last night: ‘We coming for y’all.'”
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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.