Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham was selected as an Eastern Conference starter for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game in the NBA's January 19 announcement, marking the first such honor for a Piston since Allen Iverson in 2009. The fifth-year star, averaging 25.9 points, 9.6 assists and 6 rebounds per game, powers Detroit's league-best 30-10 start atop the East.
Cunningham's starting nod—his second straight All-Star honor after last year's reserve spot and the first back-to-back for a Piston since Chauncey Billups in 2007-08—comes via combined fan (50%), player (25%), and media (25%) voting. He joins Eastern starters Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Maxey, and Jaylen Brown.
Cunningham's play has fueled the Pistons' 4.5-game lead over Boston in the East and 7.5-game Central Division edge over Cleveland, positioning Detroit as contenders.
The All-Star Weekend (February 13-15, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA) features a new round-robin format with two U.S. teams and an international 'World' squad playing four 12-minute games (minimum eight players each).
Pistons could see more representation, with center Jalen Duren a reserves candidate; if Detroit holds the East lead, coach J.B. Bickerstaff's staff would lead an All-Star team, first since Flip Saunders in 2006. Reserves announcements and full weekend events (Celebrity Game, Rising Stars, skills) follow soon.