This wasn’t the start Detroit had envisioned. Despite finishing with the best record in the Eastern Conference, the Pistons stumbled badly in Game 1 against the Orlando Magic (101-112), immediately losing home-court advantage in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

It’s a bitter pill to swallow, made even worse by the news that followed the game: Cade Cunningham, who dropped 39 points, was officially left out of the MVP finalists, snubbed alongside Luka Doncic despite a season worthy of at least a top-three finish behind Shai, Jokic, and Wembanyama.

Cunningham carried Detroit on his shoulders: along with his 39 points, he added 5 rebounds and 4 assists while shooting 48% from the field. A true leader’s performance that ultimately went to waste due to a sluggish team approach.

We came out tight, maybe too relaxed – or maybe both. We gave Orlando rhythm right away and dug ourselves into too big a hole. We can’t afford energy lapses like that in the playoffs

Cade Cunningham

Perhaps, despite returning to the playoffs last season after a five-year absence, the Pistons still felt the pressure of being the No. 1 seed.

Detroit’s leader didn’t hold back in his self-criticism, despite the 39-point outing, pointing to ball movement issues against Orlando’s defensive “wall”:

I’ve got to do a better job of getting my teammates the ball in their spots, giving them clean looks. They packed the paint – that’s what they do best. We need to space the floor smarter

Cade Cunningham

On the other side, Orlando celebrates a huge road win with a balanced effort: Paolo Banchero led a starting five in double figures with 23 points and 9 rebounds, followed by 19 from Franz Wagner, 17 each from Desmond Bane and Wendell Carter Jr., and 16 from Jalen Suggs.

They feel great right now – they came in here and did their job. But we haven’t lost any confidence. This one hurts, but it’s a long series. We know who they are, and they know who we are. It’s going to be a fun battle

Cade Cunningham

Game 2, scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, could already be a turning point in what projects to be a tightly contested series. And if being left out of the league’s top honors becomes extra motivation, Cunningham will be the first ready to respond with a chip on his shoulder.