A minute-and-a-half was all the Detroit Pistons needed to begin bearing fruit to numerous highlights involving Cade Cunningham’s presence as an off-ball threat. Wisely returning to its well just a few possessions later, Motor City would find that the fun was only just beginning. Putting a unique twist on the phrase, “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it,” Cunningham — ironically using an ankle-breaking dribble to kickstart his highlight — receives first an underhand toss that sequences into a crowded pick-and-roll towards the floor’s middle. Finding Quenton Jackson both sandwiched between a teammate’s screen, and yet still attempting to give chase, Cunningham uses the leverage advantageously, smoothly pumping his brakes through a snatchback dribble before easing into a pull-up 3-pointer. Cunningham’s return from injury coincided with a 24-point victory, moving Detroit to 3-0 in NBA Cup play, and into a first-place tie in East Group B. In full command, the fourth-year star offered 24 points (on 10-of-19 shooting), six rebounds, 11 assists, two steals, and four trifectas on November 29, 2024. · Nov 30, 2024