NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor expressed doubts about Cade Cunningham’s capability to serve as the primary leader for the Detroit Pistons during the postseason. Cunningham, the Pistons’ leading scorer and playmaker, had a notably poor shooting performance against the San Antonio Spurs on February 23, casting uncertainty on his clutch potential.
During the game, Cunningham struggled significantly, making only 5 of 26 field goal attempts and scoring 16 points with a shooting percentage of 19.2%, far below his season average of 45.5%. This shooting slump contributed to Detroit’s 114–103 loss, ending their five-game winning streak and highlighting potential weaknesses in their dependence on Cunningham.
Kevin O’Connor Questions Cunningham’s Postseason Consistency
O’Connor, a respected voice from Yahoo Sports, openly challenged whether Cunningham can be the reliable postseason leader Detroit needs, despite the Pistons holding the best record in the Eastern Conference at 42–14. Although Cunningham has earned MVP consideration during the regular season, his efficiency ranks 10th among MVP candidates—a point O’Connor emphasized to underline concerns.
The 24-year-old guard is having career-best numbers this season, averaging 25.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game. However, O’Connor highlighted the stark difference between regular-season success and playoff pressure, where Cunningham’s ability to lead through adversity remains unproven.
Cade Cunningham is last of the 10 MVP candidates in true shooting percentage,
O’Connor said.
And so Cade has taken this big leap. And I don’t mean this out of disrespect. I mean this from a place of awareness for Pistons fans.
O’Connor added.
Cade is really, really good. And he’s a most valuable player candidate for the regular season. But I don’t have the trust factor for him yet in the postseason to be the engine, the primary guy to lead your team to a championship like SGA last year with the Thunder,
O’Connor remarked.
Evaluating Cunningham’s Playoff Performance and Challenges Ahead
In the 2024-25 playoffs, Cunningham demonstrated he can perform in crucial moments, averaging 25 points, 8.7 assists, and 8.3 rebounds over six games. Despite this, recent struggles have illuminated a vulnerability: when forced into difficult shots, the Pistons’ offense often stagnates, which could prove costly in high-stakes playoff scenarios.
The recent Spurs-Pistons game, featuring two top conference teams, served as a potential preview of postseason competition. Cunningham’s poor shooting night in this matchup raised concerns about Detroit’s reliance on him during critical moments. If Cunningham cannot consistently find efficient scoring opportunities, the Pistons risk their championship ambitions.
Addressing these issues promptly may be essential for Detroit’s prospects as the postseason approaches, as Cunningham’s growth as a dependable playoff leader will likely determine how far the team can advance.
Cade Cunningham is the least efficient scorer of all the MVP candidates. Had a 5/26 tonight against the Spurs. He’s really good. But I don’t trust him to lead the Pistons to the NBA Finals yet. https://t.co/paN9mxQaNb pic.twitter.com/QQ6lD5trqw
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnor) February 24, 2026
