Cade Cunningham Scores A Career-High 52 With Zero Turnovers, A Feat Not Seen In The NBA Since 1977-78

Cade Cunningham has put his name in the NBA record books. On Thursday night, the Detroit Pistons guard scored a career-high 52 points and handed out 11 assists without a single turnover, as the Pistons beat the Washington Wizards 144-140 in double overtime. No player has posted 50 points and 10 assists with zero turnovers since turnovers were first officially tracked in 1977-78. The 25-year-old took over late, and Detroit improved to 8-3.

Cunningham makes history with a 52-point, zero-turnover night

Cunningham shot 16 of 25 from the field, including 3 of 5 from three, and made 17 of 18 free throws. He also had five rebounds, one steal and one block. Because turnovers were not officially recorded before 1977, it is not certain that nobody did it earlier, but no one in the record era has. Only Michael Jordan, Nikola Jokic and Damian Lillard have scored 50 with 10 assists and one turnover in the past 49 years.

He scored 30 of his 52 points in the second half and overtime. In the second overtime, he hit a three to put Detroit ahead and then buried a baseline fadeaway jumper with under 30 seconds left to make it a four-point game. Cunningham shot 64 per cent from the field and 60 per cent from three, while the rest of the Pistons shot 44.6 and 33.3 per cent.

Coach J.B. Bickerstaff was full of praise. “To be able to do what he does in the moment, when it's called on, it's unique and special,” he said. “He never ceases to amaze. He just understands what it takes to get it done and has all the abilities to make those things happen.” Cunningham leads Detroit in points, assists and steals this season.

How the Pistons survived the Wizards in two overtimes

The game had 13 ties and 20 lead changes, and neither team led by more than 11. Cunningham's two free throws put Detroit up 121-118 late in regulation, but Trae Young hit a buzzer-beating three to force overtime. Washington opened the extra period with a 7-0 run and led 130-121. The Pistons answered with an 11-2 run, with seven points from Cunningham, before rookie AJ Dybantsa hit a jumper from the free-throw line to force a second overtime.

Bilal Coulibaly tied it at 140-140 with a dunk with 1:10 left. After Cunningham's fadeaway, Kevin Huerter made two free throws to finish it. Anthony Davis fouled out late, which helped Detroit.

Ausar Thompson had his first career triple-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, plus three steals and three blocks. Daniss Jenkins added 21 points, and Duncan Robinson scored 13.

For Washington, now 4-9, Young had 37 points and 14 assists, Davis had 30 points and 15 rebounds, and Alex Sarr scored 30. It was the first time a team lost with three 30-point scorers since the Thunder in 2023. The Wizards have lost six in a row. Bickerstaff was unhappy about Young's tying shot, saying, “we didn't pay attention to the details.” Detroit visits Miami on Saturday.