Cade Cunningham MVP Case Grows vs Thunder

Cade Cunningham carried the Pistons to a 124-116 win over the Thunder, who were without reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Cunningham scored 29 points on 11-of-16 shooting, hit three of five threes, and added 13 assists, five rebounds, three steals and three blocks, though he had eight turnovers. Detroit erased a 34-22 first quarter hole with a 36-18 second quarter, built leads as large as 17, and closed it out with a Cunningham jumper and a Jalen Duren dunk. Oklahoma City still ranks No. 1 in defensive rating, so the victory stands out. Merlin sees a signature night. Beating the league's top defense while posting near-MVP numbers sharpens Cunningham’s case, especially as availability questions linger for Shai and Nikola Jokić under the 65-game rule. Turnovers are a caveat, but the Pistons now have a clear building block.