Orlando Magic 79-93 Detroit Pistons, NBA 2026 Playoffs: Cunningham's 32 Points Steers Side To Victory
Cade Cunningham scored 32 points and the top-seeded Detroit Pistons pulled off an incredible rally Friday night, erasing a 24-point deficit and beating the Orlando Magic 93-79 to force a Game 7 in their Eastern Conference first-round series. Detroit trailed by 22 at the half and Orlando’s lead went to 62-38 early in the third quarter. The Magic looked absolutely poised to become the seventh No. 8 seed to eliminate a No. 1 seed in the first round. And then everything went wrong for Orlando. Everything. The Magic became the first team since 1996-97 — when play-by-play began getting tracked digitally — to lose at home after leading by at least 24 points with a chance to win a series.
Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) drives against Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) during the first half in Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, in Orlando, Fla. | Photo: AP/John Raoux
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, left, tires to get past Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero, right, during the first half in Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series in Orlando, Fla. | Photo: AP/John Raoux
Detroit Pistons forward Duncan Robinson celebrates a 3-point shot against the Orlando Magic during the second half in Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series in Orlando, Fla. | Photo: AP/John Raoux
Detroit Pistons guard Daniss Jenkins, left, fights for a loose ball with Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva during the second half in Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series in Orlando, Fla. | Photo: AP/John Raoux
Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs, right, tries to steal the ball from Detroit Pistons guard Daniss Jenkins, left, during the second half in Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series in Orlando, Fla. | Photo: AP/John Raoux
Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) loses control of the ball in front of Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs, right, during the second half in Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series in Orlando, Fla. | Photo: AP/John Raoux
Orlando Magic guard Jevon Carter, front left, dives for the ball in front of Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson, front right, during the first half in Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series in Orlando, Fla. | Photo: AP/John Raoux
Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) collects a pass in front of Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) during the first half in Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series in Orlando, Fla. | Photo: AP/John Raoux
Fans wave rally towels during the second half of a win by the Detroit Pistons over the Orlando Magic in Game 5 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series in Detroit. | Photo: AP/Duane Burleson
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