Cade Cunningham scores 35 points in Dallas homecoming, but Pistons fall to Mavs

Coty M. Davis, The Detroit News on Mar 21, 2025

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DALLAS — The Detroit Pistons ended their three-game road trip with a 123-117 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night at American Airline Center. With the loss, the Pistons fell to 39-32 overall on the season while finishing their road trip with a 2-1 record.

In his first professional game in his hometown, Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 35 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Jalen Duren added 14 points, nine rebounds and two blocks.

Klay Thompson (20 points) connected on a mid-range jumper that gave the Mavericks a 12-point lead (97-85) at the 10:14 mark of the fourth quarter. Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff called a timeout following Thompson's field goal, which led to the Pistons embarking on a 6-0 run.

Cunningham scored a layup at the 8:03 mark of the period, bringing the Pistons within three points (99-96). However, on Dallas' next offensive possession, Naji Marshall (19 points) ended Detroit's momentum with a triple. The sequence between Cunningham and Marshall was a small sample size of how the Pistons stayed two steps behind the Mavericks the entire night.

Outside of a three-point lead (3-0) that lasted for 44 seconds at the start of the first quarter, the Pistons trailed Dallas the entire game. Spencer Dinwiddie led Dallas with 31 points and seven assists. P.J. Washington added 27 points

At the 6:02 mark of the second quarter, Tim Hardaway Jr. rolled his right ankle on Washington’s foot. After a few minutes down on the floor, Hardaway limped to the locker room and did not return. The injury put an early end to his return to Dallas after the Mavericks traded him to the Pistons in July. He played seven minutes before leaving the game due to the injury.

Up next

The Pistons will return to Little Caesars Arena on Sunday for a game against the New Orleans Pelicans, which will begin a three-game homestand. Tipoff against the Pelicans is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.