NBA: Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duran record double-doubles as Pistons top Thunder

Cade Cunningham had 29 points and 13 assists, while Jalen Duren added 29 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Detroit Pistons to a 124-116 home victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday. The matchup featured the top teams from each conference.

The Pistons have now won six of their last seven games, while the Thunder saw their three-game winning streak come to an end. Detroit built a 17-point lead in the third quarter and led by as many as 14 in the fourth, before Oklahoma City cut the deficit to three with a 13-2 run, highlighted by eight points from Aaron Wiggins.

After the Thunder made it 108-105 with 5:06 remaining, the Pistons grabbed four straight offensive rebounds. Javonte Green then hit a clutch 3-pointer as the shot clock wound down to halt Oklahoma City’s momentum. The Thunder got within four in the final minute, but Cunningham found Duren for a dunk in the last 30 seconds, helping Detroit hold off the challenge.

The Thunder played the second night of a back-to-back and were already shorthanded, losing additional players during the game. Branden Carlson left in the first quarter with lower back soreness and did not return. Isaiah Joe exited late in the second quarter with a left glute contusion.

Oklahoma City was also without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Ajay Mitchell, who have been out since before the All-Star break, as well as Isaiah Hartenstein, Chet Holmgren, and Alex Caruso. Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart served the fifth game of a seven-game suspension.

Despite missing most of their usual starters, the Thunder started strong, closing the first quarter on a 15-2 run to take a 12-point lead. Seven of those points came off turnovers in the final four minutes. Detroit responded in the second quarter, cutting the deficit to one with a 9-0 run, sparked by back-to-back rebounds and putbacks from Ronald Holland II. The Pistons then took control with a 19-10 run over the final four minutes of the half, taking the lead for good.

With Holmgren and Hartenstein absent in the middle, Detroit dominated the paint, outscoring the Thunder 70-32. Jaylin Williams led Oklahoma City with a career-high 30 points and 11 rebounds, surpassing his previous best of 24. Cason Wallace contributed 23 points.

The Pistons will look to continue their hot streak as they aim to climb further in the Eastern Conference standings, while the Thunder regroup after a challenging night without key players.

—Field Level Media/Reuters