Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham made NBA history with a 46-point triple-double despite missing 31 shots in an overtime win over the Washington Wizards. The performance, which surpassed Kobe Bryant's record for most misses in a game since the 1976-77 merger, helped extend Detroit's winning streak to seven games. Cunningham's effort came on a back-to-back without several key rotation players.
In a remarkable display of resilience, Cade Cunningham led the Detroit Pistons to their seventh consecutive victory, defeating the Washington Wizards in overtime. Cunningham finished with 46 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists, achieving a triple-double while also recording five steals and two blocks in 45 minutes of play. He shot 14-of-45 from the field, missing 31 shots—the most by any player since the 1976-77 merger and topping Kobe Bryant's previous mark of 30 misses in a November 2002 game against Boston.
The Pistons, playing on a back-to-back after a 41-minute effort in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers, were shorthanded without Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Caris LeVert, and Isaiah Stewart. Jaden Ivey and Marcus Sasser have yet to play this season. Despite the absences, Cunningham remained aggressive, entering the game with a 52% mid-range shooting rate among point guards, comparable to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's.
With just over nine minutes left and Detroit trailing by 10, Cunningham reentered and contributed 19 points and five assists to rally the team. Of his 31 misses, nine were from three-point range, where he entered Monday shooting just over 30% this season. The remaining 22 misses included only four from outside the paint, showing he was taking quality looks, often drives or mid-range shots, amid tired legs.
This stat line, including the blocks and steals, marks an unprecedented performance in NBA history. The win improved Detroit to 9-2, placing them atop the Eastern Conference. While efficiency-focused analysts might critique the volume, Cunningham's plus-10 rating and game-willing effort underscore its impact.