Cunningham set a Pistons franchise playoff record with his 45-point performance, while Banchero scored a playoff career-high in the losing effort.
The Detroit Pistons avoided elimination on April 29, 2026, defeating the Orlando Magic 116-109 at Little Caesars Arena. The win narrowed the Magic’s series lead to 3-2, forcing a Game 6 in Orlando on May 1. The game featured a historic scoring duel between two former No. 1 overall picks: Cade Cunningham (2021) and Paolo Banchero (2022). Each scored exactly 45 points.
Cunningham shot 13-of-23 from the field (56.5 percent), 5-of-8 from three (62.5 percent), and a perfect 14-of-14 from the free-throw line. Banchero shot 17-of-31 (54.8 percent), 6-of-11 from three (54.5 percent), and 5-of-12 from the free-throw line (41.7 percent). Their 45-point outputs marked only the second time in NBA playoff history that opposing players each scored 45 or more points in the same game, joining Donovan Mitchell (51) and Jamal Murray (50) in the 2020 Utah Jazz-Denver Nuggets series.
Cade Cunningham Sets Pistons Franchise Playoff Scoring Record
Cunningham’s 45 points broke a Detroit Pistons franchise playoff single-game scoring record. Dave Bing held the previous record with 44 points in 1968, followed by Isiah Thomas with 43 points in 1988. Cunningham’s performance also extended his streak of consecutive playoff games with at least 25 points to five, the longest such streak in Pistons postseason history.
He scored 27 points in the first half, including 20 in the second quarter alone. That early surge helped Detroit build a lead that would not be surrendered. The Pistons led 38-26 after the first quarter and pushed the advantage to 17 points in the second period.
With the Magic trailing 112-109 after Banchero’s sixth three-pointer with 1:09 remaining, the Pistons needed a response. Ausar Thompson grabbed an offensive rebound on a missed Tobias Harris jumper, and Cunningham hit a 16-foot step-back fadeaway from the right wing with 32 seconds left, extending the lead to 114-109. He finished with a plus-minus of +3.
Paolo Banchero Scores Playoff Career-High in Losing Effort
Banchero’s 45 points were a playoff career-high. It ranked as the third-most points scored in a single Magic postseason game in franchise history. He added 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and 6 turnovers in 40 minutes and 48 seconds, finishing with a plus-minus of 0.
Banchero was particularly dominant in the fourth quarter, scoring 18 points in the period, including four three-pointers. His sixth three-pointer cut the deficit to 112-109 with 1:09 to play. However, his free-throw shooting proved costly. Banchero made only 5-of-12 attempts (41.7 percent). The Magic as a team shot 16-of-30 from the line (53.3 percent).
The Magic played without starting forward Franz Wagner, who was sidelined with a right calf strain. That absence increased Banchero’s offensive burden. Without Wagner, Banchero absorbed heavy defensive attention while still producing at an elite level.
Rebounding and Free Throws Decide the Game
The Pistons outrebounded the Magic 49-33 overall, including a 16-8 advantage on the offensive glass. That disparity generated extra possessions and second-chance points. Ausar Thompson recorded 15 rebounds, 5 steals, and 2 blocks, anchoring Detroit’s effort on the boards and on defense.
Detroit also held a significant edge at the free-throw line. The Pistons made 28-of-35 attempts (80 percent), compared to Orlando’s 16-of-30 (53.3 percent). Cunningham’s perfect 14-of-14 was a key difference, as Banchero missed 7 free throws.
Supporting contributions included Tobias Harris with 23 points and 8 rebounds, Jalen Duren with 12 points and 9 rebounds, and Duncan Robinson with 12 points. For Orlando, Anthony Black scored a playoff career-high 19 points, and Desmond Bane added 18 points.
Historic Scoring Duel Joins Rare Company
The 45-point performances by Cunningham and Banchero marked only the second time in NBA playoff history that opposing players each scored 45 or more points in the same game. The only previous occurrence was Donovan Mitchell (51) and Jamal Murray (50) in Game 4 of the 2020 first-round series between the Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets.
It was also the first such duel involving two No. 1 overall picks since Elgin Baylor and Oscar Robertson in 1961. Cunningham and Banchero have competed against each other since their AAU days. Post-game, Banchero said it was “no surprise” to see both players perform at that level in a high-stakes environment.
Cunningham emphasized the team victory over the individual accomplishment. He noted the historical context of the 45-point outputs but focused on the win that forced a Game 6.
Efficiency Contrasts Between the Two Stars
Cade Cunningham delivered his 45 points on 23 field goal attempts. Banchero needed 31 attempts to reach the same total. Cunningham’s field goal percentage (56.5) was slightly higher than Banchero’s (54.8), and his three-point percentage (62.5) also topped Banchero’s (54.5). The biggest difference came at the free-throw line: Cunningham was perfect; Banchero missed 7.
Banchero held individual advantages in rebounds (9-4) and assists (7-5). His 9 rebounds included 2 offensive boards, and his 7 assists reflected his role as a facilitator despite the heavy scoring load. Cunningham’s 5 assists and 3 offensive rebounds contributed to Detroit’s overall ball movement and second-chance opportunities.
Both players committed 6 turnovers, a testament to the defensive pressure they faced. Neither guarded the other exclusively for the full game. Orlando, missing Franz Wagner, deployed a mix of defenders on Cunningham, with Banchero occasionally matched against him.
Series Heads to Orlando for Game 6
The Pistons’ victory forces a Game 6 on May 1, 2026, at the Kia Center in Orlando. The Magic still lead the series 3-2 and can advance with a win on their home floor. The Pistons must win to force a Game 7 back in Detroit.
Cunningham’s franchise-record performance has shifted momentum. The Pistons have shown they can compete without a healthy supporting cast, but they will need similar production from role players to extend the series. Banchero’s fourth-quarter explosion in Game 5 demonstrated that Orlando can erase large deficits.
Game 6 will determine whether the Magic close out the series or the Pistons force a decisive seventh game. The scoring duel between Cunningham and Banchero has already secured its place in playoff history, regardless of the final outcome.
Conclusion
Cade Cunningham and Paolo Banchero each scored 45 points in Game 5. Only one other playoff game has featured opposing players reaching that threshold. Cunningham set a Pistons franchise record. Banchero set a playoff career-high.
Detroit won. The series continues.
This scoring duel will be remembered. The next game will decide who advances. The 45-point club has a new chapter. The old one came in the bubble. This one came in Detroit. Both are now part of NBA history.
Game 6 is next.
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