Cade Cunningham scored a Pistons playoff record 45 points, leading Detroit to a 116-109 victory over the Orlando Magic in Game 5. The win keeps the Pistons' season alive in the 2026 NBA playoffs.
Key points
Cade Cunningham scored 45 points in Game 5
Pistons won 116-109 against the Magic
Ausar Thompson made a crucial offensive rebound
Game 5 took place at Little Caesars Arena
Victory keeps Pistons' playoff hopes alive
Detroit PistonsOrlando MagicCade CunninghamAusar Thompson
Cade Cunningham saves Pistons season vs Paolo Banchero, Magic in Game 5
The Detroit Pistons saved their season for one night in front of their home fans against the feisty Orlando Magic.
Cade Cunningham bounced back from two rough outings in Orlando to score a Pistons playoff record 45 points, Ausar Thompson stuffed the stat sheet and the Pistons held on for the 116-109 in Game 5 on Wednesday, April 29, in the 2026 NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
Thompson dove on the floor to control a key offensive rebound after a Tobias Harris miss, and Cunningham drilled a pull-up 2-pointer for a 114-109 lead with 31.3 seconds left.
Paolo Banchero nearly led a 17-point comeback for the Magic, and finished with a playoff career-high 45 points on 17-for-31 shooting, including 6-for-11 on 3s.
The Pistons trail the first-round series, 3-2.
Game 6 will be Friday night in Orlando (Prime Video), where the Magic won twice already in this best-of-seven matchup.
How many points did Cade Cunningham score in Game 5 against the Magic?
Cade Cunningham scored a playoff record 45 points in Game 5 against the Orlando Magic.
What was the final score of the Pistons vs Magic Game 5?
The final score of Game 5 was 116-109 in favor of the Detroit Pistons.
What did Ausar Thompson contribute in the Pistons' Game 5 victory?
Ausar Thompson contributed significantly by stuffing the stat sheet and securing a key offensive rebound.
When did the Pistons play Game 5 against the Magic?
The Pistons played Game 5 against the Orlando Magic on April 29, 2026.
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Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff speaks at a press conference before Game 5 of First Round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff walks up the podium at a press conference before Game 5 of First Round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff speaks at a press conference before Game 5 of First Round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff speaks at a press conference before Game 5 of First Round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Detroit Pistons try to fight off elimination by Magic in NBA playoffs
Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff speaks at a press conference before Game 5 of First Round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
1 / 4
Detroit Pistons try to fight off elimination by Magic in NBA playoffs
Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff speaks at a press conference before Game 5 of First Round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
2 / 4
Detroit Pistons try to fight off elimination by Magic in NBA playoffs
Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff walks up the podium at a press conference before Game 5 of First Round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
3 / 4
Detroit Pistons try to fight off elimination by Magic in NBA playoffs
Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff speaks at a press conference before Game 5 of First Round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
4 / 4
Detroit Pistons try to fight off elimination by Magic in NBA playoffs
Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff speaks at a press conference before Game 5 of First Round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Thompson twisted his ankle early in the third quarter and missed nearly five minutes, but returned with an extra verve, gobbling rebounds, leading a fastbreak for a Harris dunk and getting three steals in the quarter. Thompson finished with six points, 15 rebounds, six assists, five steals and two blocks in 36 minutes (he also have five turnovers).
Duncan Robinson had 12 points with three 3s and Jalen Duren had 12 points, nine rebounds (five on offense) and two blocks.
The Pistons led by as much as 17, 48-31, at the 8:21 mark of the second quarter, but the Magic closed the half with a 7-0 run after a series of errors and fouls from the Pistons. Orlando was just 10-for-19 at the foul line in the half; the more physical Pistons were 19-for-26.
The Pistons had 10 offensive rebounds in the first half to four for Orlando, including three off missed free throws in the game's first three minutes.