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Comparison for Pistons, Knicks Stars Spark Reactions From NBA Fans

Cade Cunningham and Jalen Brunson comparisons generate a lot of support for Cade Cunningham.
Justin Grasso|
Oct 4, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) looks to drive past Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) in the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Oct 4, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) looks to drive past Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) in the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

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Detroit PistonsNew York Knicks

On Thursday night, the New York Knicks and the Detroit Pistons faced each other for the final time during the regular season. Soon, the two teams could meet again for Game 1 of a 2025 NBA Playoff series.

For Jalen Brunson, it will be just another postseason where he’s trying to lead his team to the NBA Finals. For Cade Cunningham, it will be his first go-round in the playoffs.

The two star guards would have all eyes on them in that series for obvious reasons. That’s been the case when the two teams have squared up at times throughout the 2024-2025 season.

Following Thursday’s Pistons victory over the Knicks, one popular NBA account made a social media post to compare the two stars’ head-to-head stats, which sparked some big reactions, with most of them supporting the Pistons’ star, Cunningham.

via @dgsire: cade doesn't even need to flop like brunson to average better numbers

@Cade2_snz: Cade sm better

@CadeyoDaddy: THIS AINT EVEN AN AGENDA THIS FACTS

@K_loc420: Cade wipes the floor with Brunson, All-NBA 1st team him already

@Artur_podeparar: brunson its just a elite flopper

@eric_ikyg: Pistons own them

Cunningham clearly had the upper hand against Brunson in head-to-head battles this year. Overall, Cunningham posted averages of 26 points, nine assists, and six rebounds in 68 games leading up to Thursday’s action in New York.

As for Brunson, he averaged 26 points, seven assists, and three rebounds in 63 games throughout the year. Both players earned All-Star nods for their campaign, and both could be eligible for awards at the end of the season, as long as Brunson plays in NY’s final two matchups.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia

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