Cade Cunningham scored 52 points as the Detroit Pistons edged the Washington Wizards 144-140 in double overtime on Thursday, delivering one of the most dramatic performances of the NBA regular season. Cunningham also recorded 10 assists without a turnover, becoming the first player in NBA history to post 50 points, 10 assists and zero turnovers in a game. Ausar Thompson added a triple-double with 17 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds. Washington had three starters score 30-plus points—Trae Young, Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr—but still fell to a sixth consecutive defeat.
Key Takeaways: Cunningham’s 52-point, 10-assist, zero-turnover line is an NBA first. Detroit won 144-140 after two overtimes in Washington. The Wizards lost their sixth straight despite three starters scoring 30 or more.
The game featured 20 lead changes and repeated momentum swings. Detroit started slowly but built a double-digit lead early in the second half. Washington gradually cut the deficit, and Cunningham was fouled at 119-118 with less than two seconds left. He made both free throws, but Young’s buzzer-beater forced overtime. The Wizards raced to a 128-121 lead in the first extra period, only for Cunningham to answer with a three-pointer with 30 seconds left. He then set up Duncan Robinson for what appeared to be another three, but video review ruled Robinson’s toe was on the line, leaving Detroit ahead by two. That mattered when Young found top draft pick AJ Dybantsa, whose pull-up jumper forced a second overtime.
Cunningham’s fadeaway gave Detroit a four-point cushion with 25 seconds left, and Washington could not conjure a third comeback as Young missed two three-point attempts and the Wizards’ final possession came up empty. 'Two overtimes, it was just going to come down to who wanted it more, who had more in the tank,' Cunningham said. 'I’d bet on my team any day. So great win for us.' Washington’s balanced scoring was not enough to prevent another defeat, while Detroit’s composure in late-game situations stood out.
In Philadelphia, Tyrese Maxey scored 27 points and added eight assists as the 76ers overcame a slow start and the absence of LeBron James to beat the Toronto Raptors 123-112. Joel Embiid briefly left with a knee injury but returned to score 20. The Sixers trailed by 17 in the first quarter but rallied for their fifth double-digit comeback of the season. James, who turns 42 next month, was ruled out to manage a lower back issue. Philadelphia improved to 10-3, half a game behind the 10-2 Boston Celtics atop the Eastern Conference. Minnesota thrashed Dallas 133-94, while Devin Booker’s 30 points helped Phoenix beat Charlotte 101-96.
The Pistons will look to build on a statement road win as Cunningham strengthens his case for early-season recognition, while Washington must address late-game execution and defensive lapses to end its losing run. Philadelphia’s comeback win keeps pressure on Boston in the East, and the Raptors remain in search of consistency. The NBA slate continues with attention on workload management for veteran stars such as James and on how teams respond to a demanding early-season schedule.
Source: www.aljazeera.com