The Detroit Pistons' pursuit of an NBA Cup run ended with a narrow home defeat to the Orlando Magic. Despite showing promise early in the matchup, the Pistons struggled to maintain momentum in the final stretch, allowing the Magic to rally and secure the win.
After the game, Cade Cunningham shared his perspective on what went wrong during the closing minutes.
“We had a great start defensively and moved the ball well, but we couldn’t close it out when it mattered most,” said Cunningham.
He emphasized the team’s effort and competitive spirit but admitted that lapses in defensive rotations and missed shots ultimately cost them the game.
Cunningham also highlighted that games like this are opportunities for growth.
“We’re a young group, and every close game teaches us something,” Cunningham noted. “We need to be sharper and stay connected in clutch moments.”
The Pistons, though disappointed, view the loss as a learning moment as they continue building chemistry and resilience for the remainder of the season.
Detroit will aim to bounce back in their upcoming matchups, focusing on executing late-game strategies more effectively and avoiding the breakdowns that plagued them against Orlando.
“We’ll take this, learn from it, and be better next game,” Cunningham concluded.
Author’s summary: Cunningham reflected on Detroit’s narrow loss, stressing accountability, late-game focus, and the team’s determination to grow from the setback.