Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
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Cade Cunningham is on track to make his first start in the All-Star Game.
The 2026 NBA All-Star Game is approaching and will be held on Feb. 15. Voting for the game ends on Wednesday at 11:59 P.M. ET. ESPN senior writer Tim Bontemps has Detroit Pistons’ guard Cade Cunningham a lock to be named a starter.
If Cunningham is named a starter, it would be his first start in an All-Star Game and his second appearance overall. The Pistons No. 1 overall pick back in 2021 has had an exceptional season so far and has his team atop of the standings in the Eastern Conference.
If selected, Cunningham would be the first Piston to make back-to-back All-Star appearances since Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton during the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons.
Along with Cunningham being a Lock, Bontemps has Jalen Brunson, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, and Giannis Antetokounmpo rounding out the other four starters.
Cade Cunningham Set to Make Second All-Star Appearance
Cunningham is building off an impressive campaign last year where he was named to the All-NBA Third Team. Through 33 games this season, he’s averaging 26.7 points, 9.7 assists, and 6.2 rebounds.
He’s been a constant player mentioned in the MVP race and for good reason. Cunningham has emerged as a leader and dominant force on the court. The Pistons have had a significant turnaround the last few seasons and Cunningham has played a huge part in that.
“Cunningham has followed up on last season’s All-Star and All-NBA debuts with another leap, moving into the MVP conversation as the leader of the conference-best Pistons,” Bontemps wrote.
The All-Star has missed the last two games dealing with a wrist injury, but is expected to return for Detroit’s next game against the Phoenix Suns. Cunningham has been doing it all on the court this season, from scoring to assisting and grabbing boards. He’s also played well on the defensive side, making it tough for opposing players to score on him.
Cade Cunningham Becoming a Top Player in the League
7PM in Brooklyn
Cade Cunningham’s dominance this season has Melo & PJ putting him in the best PG AND NBA title conversations 👀
“He will surpass those guys … Pistons could win a championship this year.” – Melo
“100% … he got it now.” – PJ
Cunningham is getting respect from people across the league. Hall of Famer Reggie Miller talked about Cunningham and the MVP-caliber season he’s having.
“I’m surprised more people are not speaking about Cade,” Miller said. “For those of you who are late to the party, overall No.1 pick out of Oklahoma State, and for his size at 6’5″, 6’6″ being a point guard, controls the whole action, and it helps now that Jalen Duren has kind of grown into being that force down low for them. They have a great one-two connection and chemistry between those two guys. He plays defense.”
Since entering the league, Cunningham has shown significant improvements to his game and has continued to gain confidence when he’s on the court. The way he’s performed on the court makes it hard for him not to be in the MVP conversation. “I think on the back end, you’ve got Luka mentioned. I don’t know if Joker will qualify for those games. SGA will be in the running. I don’t think Giannis is going to qualify, but he’ll have the type of numbers. But Cade should certainly be in the discussion for MVP, no question,” Miller added.
Cunningham is showing everyone that last season was no fluke and he has what it takes to be a top player in the league for years to come.