DETROIT, Mich. (Dec. 23, 2024) – The NBA announced today that Pistons guard Cade Cunningham was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from Monday, Dec. 16 through Sunday, Dec. 22. It marks the first time in his career that Cunningham has received the honor.
Cunningham (6-6, 230) led the Pistons to a 2-1 week with averages of 27.0 points (.492 FG%, .409 3FG%), 5.3 rebounds, 12.7 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.0 steals in 39.0 minutes per game.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft holds season averages of 24.0 points, 7.1 rebounds and 9.7 assists and is shooting 45.7% from the field and 38.5% from 3-point range in 25 games. His 9.7 assists per game ranks third in the NBA and is the highest average by a Piston since Isiah Thomas (10.0, 1986-87). Cunningham is currently orchestrating the 18th season in NBA history of at least 23.0 PTS, 9.0 AST and 7.0 REB per game and is one of only 10 players in NBA history to hold career averages of 20.0 PTS, 6.0 AST and 5.0 REB.
Cunningham began the week by recording his sixth triple-double with 20 points (7-17 FG, 3-6 3FG), 11 rebounds, a career-high 18 assists and one block in a 125-124 overtime win against the Miami HEAT on Dec. 16. Cunningham connected on the game-winning basket with 37 seconds left in overtime to give Detroit their second consecutive win over Miami.
The Dallas native followed up his performance against Miami by producing his third 30-plus point performance of the season against the Utah Jazz on Dec. 19. Cunningham finished with 33 points (13-23 FG, 3-8 3FG), four rebounds, seven assists and four blocks in 38 minutes.
Cunningham capped off the week by leading Detroit to a road victory over the Phoenix Suns with 28 points (9-19 FG, 3-8 3FG), 13 assists, two blocks and two steals, marking the team’s first victory in Phoenix since Feb. 28, 2020.
His six triple-doubles this season currently ranks third in the NBA (LeBron James, Nikola Jokic) and his 14 point-assist double-doubles rank second (Trae Young). Cunningham and Jokic are the only two players in the NBA this season averaging at least 20 points, seven rebounds and nine assists per game. Cunningham would become the first player since Oscar Robertson to average 23 points, nine assists and seven rebounds before turning 24 years old.
Victor Wembanyama was named the Western Conference player of the week after averaging 36.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 33.5 minutes per game in two games from Dec. 16 to Dec. 22.
