Pistons bounced, but year 'not a disappointment'
Key takeaways
- DETROIT -- With the Pistons trailing by 34 points with 5:51 remaining, Cade Cunningham's night ended early as he was called to the bench between free throws while fans were exiting Little Caesars Arena.
- The All-Star guard hugged coach J.B.
- The top-seeded Pistons were eliminated in Game 7 at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers 125-94 in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
DETROIT -- With the Pistons trailing by 34 points with 5:51 remaining, Cade Cunningham's night ended early as he was called to the bench between free throws while fans were exiting Little Caesars Arena.
The All-Star guard hugged coach J.B. Bickerstaff and each of his teammates who were standing on the sideline before taking a seat after logging a playoff career-low 13 points.
The top-seeded Pistons were eliminated in Game 7 at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers 125-94 in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Detroit's 31-point loss marked the third-largest defeat by a 60-win team in NBA postseason history, according to ESPN Research, but Bickerstaff refused to label the 2025-26 season as a letdown.