---
title: "Pistons Break Through Behind Cade Cunningham"
description: "Detroit ended an 18-year playoff series drought as Cunningham and Tobias Harris buried Orlando in Game 7."
url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/pistons-complete-comeback-against-magic-to-win-their-first-n-mor94h30
published: 2026-05-16T03:51:46.301831+00:00
updated: 2026-05-16T14:03:16.481087+00:00
author: "Kostadin Stamboliev"
publisher: "Pineido"
site: "Sportopod"
language: en
topics: ["basketball"]
---

# Pistons Break Through Behind Cade Cunningham

> Detroit ended an 18-year playoff series drought as Cunningham and Tobias Harris buried Orlando in Game 7.

The Detroit Pistons finally exorcised 18 years of playoff misery, storming back from a 3-1 series deficit to crush the Orlando Magic 116-94 in Game 7.

Cade Cunningham was the maestro with 32 points and 12 assists, while veteran Tobias Harris poured in 30.

The win marks Detroit's first playoff series victory since 2008, a cathartic breakthrough for a franchise that has been wandering the NBA wilderness.

## Why this matters

This isn't just a first-round win—it's a franchise rebirth. The Pistons, once a laughingstock, just proved they have a legitimate star in Cunningham and the guts to rally when it counts. For a league starving for new blood in the East, Detroit just announced they're done being doormats.

## Frequently asked

### How did the Pistons beat the Magic in Game 7?

Detroit beat Orlando 116-94 behind Cade Cunningham’s 32 points and 12 assists. Tobias Harris added 30 points, giving the Pistons the scoring balance they needed to turn the deciding game into a clear statement win.

### What streak did Detroit end?

The Pistons ended an 18-year drought without a playoff series win. The Game 7 victory over Orlando closed a 3-1 series comeback and gave Detroit its long-awaited postseason release.

### Why was Cade Cunningham’s performance important?

Cunningham produced in the highest-pressure game of Detroit’s season, finishing with 32 points and 12 assists. For a young star tied to the Pistons’ rebuild, that kind of Game 7 control gives the franchise a new level of credibility.

### What role did Tobias Harris play?

Harris supplied the veteran punch Detroit needed, scoring 30 points in Game 7. His production kept the Pistons from leaning only on Cunningham and helped turn the matchup with Orlando into a decisive Detroit win.

## Sources & Citations

- [Pistons complete comeback against Magic to win their first NBA playoff series in 18 years](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/03/pistons-complete-comeback-against-magic-to-win-their-first-nba-playoff-series-in-18-years) — The Guardian Sport (2026-05-03)

---

Cite: Pistons Break Through Behind Cade Cunningham. Sportopod, 2026-05-16. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/pistons-complete-comeback-against-magic-to-win-their-first-n-mor94h30