Cooper Flagg, Cade Cunningham
The Detroit Pistons and Dallas Mavericks meet Wednesday night with both teams coming from very different places in the standings, but the matchup carries added intrigue because of one shared storyline. Rookie Cooper Flagg continues to draw leaguewide attention, and Pistons star Cade Cunningham did not shy away from offering a candid evaluation of the No. 1 overall pick ahead of their meeting.
Detroit enters the game riding momentum, searching for its fifth straight win and sixth victory in seven games. Dallas, meanwhile, sits at 10-17 but has quietly won five of its last seven, keeping the season from slipping away entirely. The contrast in records has not dulled the spotlight on Flagg’s early NBA stretch or the respect he is already earning from established stars.
Cunningham, a former No. 1 pick himself, spoke openly about what has stood out to him most during Flagg’s first few weeks in the league.
“Man, he’s been killing it,” Cunningham said. “To be at his age doing that already, he’s got a bright future ahead. We already knew that coming in. That’s special.”
Cade Cunningham Praises Flagg’s Composure
Cunningham’s comments went beyond box scores and highlight moments. He focused on Flagg’s ability to handle pressure, responsibility, and uneven nights without losing his poise.
“I think he’s been doing a great job,” Cunningham said. “A lot of different things have came at him as far as responsibilities, and I think more than anything, through his struggles, he’s kept composure and handled it well. I think the mindset is something that’s gonna get him a long way in the league, for sure.”
That mindset became a talking point earlier this week after Flagg poured in a career-high 42 points against the Utah Jazz in an overtime loss. The performance marked his sixth 20-point outing in eight games, a rapid scoring surge that has only intensified expectations around the rookie.
The two teams already crossed paths once this season in Mexico City, a game that delivered plenty of entertainment. Detroit walked away with a 122-110 win, powered by Cunningham’s all-around night of 21 points and 18 assists and a dominant showing from Jalen Duren, who finished with 33 points and 10 rebounds. Dallas guard D’Angelo Russell caught fire with 31 points and seven three-pointers.
Flagg did not have his most efficient shooting night in that earlier meeting, going 3-of-14 from the field. Still, he found ways to contribute, finishing with 16 points, eight rebounds, and four assists while knocking down all eight of his free throws.
Pistons Rolling as Mavericks Look to Stay Afloat
Detroit’s recent surge has pushed the team to the top of the Eastern Conference standings. Head coach JB Bickerstaff has his group locked in, and the Pistons are coming off a revenge win over the Boston Celtics after their earlier 13-game winning streak was snapped.
With the Pistons positioned near the top of the conference, outside chatter has shifted quickly from rebuilding talk to questions about contention. Detroit enters the matchup with only Isaac Jones listed as day-to-day on the injury report, giving Bickerstaff a largely intact rotation as the winning streak continues.
Dallas, despite its record, has not faded from relevance. Jason Kidd’s group has stacked wins against the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, and Miami Heat during its recent stretch. The Mavericks list Anthony Davis, D’Angelo Russell, and Brandon Williams as questionable, but Kidd has shown no signs of treating the season as lost.
As the Pistons and Mavericks meet again, Cunningham’s words hang over the matchup. Flagg’s early NBA run has already earned him respect from players who understand exactly how heavy expectations can be.