Cunningham explodes with 52 as Pistons outlast Wizards in double-overtime

WASHINGTON, United States — Cade Cunningham racked up 52 points as the Detroit Pistons edged a double-overtime thriller, 144-140, against Washington on Thursday (Friday Manila time).

The Wizards twice extended the game with clutch scores in the dying seconds, but could not repeat the trick a third time as the Pistons held their nerve to claim an epic road win.

Cunningham became the first player in NBA history to score 50 points and add 10 assists with zero turnovers, while Ausar Thompson had a triple-double with 17 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds.

The Wizards had three starters scoring 30-plus points — Trae Young, Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr — but it was not enough to prevent Washington's sixth defeat in a row.

In a back-and-forth game featuring 20 lead changes, Detroit started slow but built a double-digit lead early in the second half.

It was slowly whittled down by Washington, but the Pistons were clinging on to their lead when Cunningham was fouled at 119-118 with less than two seconds remaining.

Cunningham sank both free throws, but Trae Young made a nerveless trey right at the buzzer to force overtime.

The Wizards raced 128-121 up, but Cunningham would not quit.

He made a 3-pointer with 30 seconds left to level the score, then set up Dunacan Robinson for what appeared to be another. A video replay ruled Robinson's toe was on the line, and Detroit had only a two-point lead.

That proved crucial, as Young set up this year's top draft pick AJ Dybantsa, who forced a second overtime period with a pull-up jump shot.

Cunningham made a fadeaway shot for a four-point lead with 25 seconds left, and this time the Wizards could not conjure a third comeback.

Young missed two 3-point efforts, with Washington settling for two free throws, but were unable to score in their final possession.

Elsewhere, Tyrese Maxey powered Philadelphia to its latest comeback victory, scoring 27 points as the Sixers shrugged off a slow start and the absence of LeBron James to beat the Toronto Raptors, 123-112.

Maxey added eight assists, linking up seamlessly with Joel Embiid, who briefly left the court early with a knee injury but returned to add 20 points.

The Sixers had trailed by 17 points in the first quarter, immediately following Embiid's absence, but rallied for their fifth double-digit comeback this season.

"We'll take it. I mean, extreme professional win by us. We stayed with it. Didn't start out great, but it was a good win," said Maxey.

"We played together the last seven years, so I kind of know where he's going to be, he knows where I'm going to be at, and it's good for us," he said, of his partnership with 2023 MVP Embiid.

Veteran James, who turns 42 next month, was ruled out of Thursday's clash to manage a lower back issue.

That meant extra work fell on the Sixers' bench, who managed 39 points led by Anfernee Simons' 17.

Philadelphia moves to 10-3, just half a game back from the 10-2 Boston Celtics atop the Eastern Conference.

abtestabtest Arespacochaga back to aid Blue Eagles in coaching chores By Ralph Edwin Villanueva | 1 day ago With UAAP Season 89 going into the final stretch, the Ateneo Blue Eagles turned to a familiar face for help amid woes on the... Sports Korea PGA Tour champ Jeung returns to Southwooods with Philippine Open stint 3 days ago Manila Southwoods has, in putting it plainly, taken hosting of the 108th Philippine Open presented by the Philippine Sports... Sports Andreeva powers past Sabalenka to reach WTA Finals Last Four 1 day ago French Open champion Mirra Andreeva stormed past Aryna Sabalenka, 6-4, 6-0, to reach the Last Four of the WTA Finals. Sports Quiban bucks Masters test with 69, trails Voke by 4 By Jan Veran | 19 hours ago Justin Quiban stood his ground against swirling winds and the exacting demands of the Manila Southwoods Masters Course, salvaging... Sports Korean ace joins Philippine Open mix 3 days ago Manila Southwoods has, in putting it plainly, taken hosting of the 108th Philippine Open presented by the Philippine Sports... Sports Latest More in Sports Proud Ifugao Martin arrives as new Philippine boxing hope Pegula beats Noskova to advance at WTA Finals, knock out Gauff Cubs' Crow-Armstrong, Astros' Alvarez earn MLB MVP awards Rockets' Smart suspended three games for throwing punch abtest Messi finalist for third straight MLS MVP award 7 hours ago Lionel Messi is among the finalists for the 2026 Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player award, putting the Argentine superstar... Sports Warriors' Curry sidelined at least two weeks with abdominal tear 7 hours ago Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry will miss at least two weeks after suffering an oblique abdominal tear, the NBA team... Sports Sinner admits that knee injury left him barely able to move 7 hours ago Missing from this year's ATP Finals, title holder Jannik Sinner admitted that he's had days on which he could barely... Sports Kiwi bet stuns open favorites By John Bryan Ulanday | 13 hours ago Nick Voke stole the thunder from the fancied favorites, firing six birdies, none bigger than on the final two holes, to seize... Sports Recommended Lawyers tussle over VP spouse’s ‘lavish’ lifestyle 13 hours ago Some senator-judges yesterday expressed frustration over the prosecution’s grilling of a defense witness about the P256,882... SportsDUTERTEPOASARA The ledger on trial: Why true accountability can’t stop at the Vice President’s door November 13, 2026 - 12:00am For forty-odd session days, reporters covering the Senate have watched two very different worlds collide. Inside the chamber, senator-judges in maroon robes parse bank records, land titles and corporate disclosures....r SportsSENATE Tol brings back Court Queens 13 hours ago  Former  Senate Majority Leader and DOLE Secretary Francis  Tolentino opens a new chapter in the Court Queens... SportsFRANCISTOLENTINO Mans Carpio's friend admits no proof of Japan dinner reimbursement 19 hours ago The friend of Vice President Sara Duterte’s husband said he has no proof that he partly reimbursed more than P200,000... SportsCORRUPTIONDUTERTEIMPEACHMENT Chiz cautions senator-judges against harsh questioning of witnesses 1 day ago "An answer which may be unsatisfactory is not inherently contemptible." SportsIMPEACHMENTSALNSARA DUTERTE next Recommended Lawyers tussle over VP spouse’s ‘lavish’ lifestyle Some senator-judges yesterday expressed frustration over the prosecution’s grilling of a defense witness about the P256,882 credit card shoe purchases made by Vice President Sara Duterte’s husband Manases Carpio as a treat for a junior basketball team in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 13 hours ago DUTERTE POA SARA The ledger on trial: Why true accountability can’t stop at the Vice President’s door For forty-odd session days, reporters covering the Senate have watched two very different worlds collide. Inside the chamber, senator-judges in maroon robes parse bank records, land titles and corporate disclosures. Just outside, everyday workers and middle-class taxpayers tallying their grocery bills worry about heavy taxes and billions lost to broken flood-control projects. Beyond our borders, foreign diplomats and investors arriving for our turn as ASEAN chair watch this divided screen with quiet alarm. 13 hours ago SENATE Tol brings back Court Queens  Former  Senate Majority Leader and DOLE Secretary Francis  Tolentino opens a new chapter in the Court Queens series as he launches the second edition of the elite women’s 3x3 competition at the Sky Ranch, Tagaytay City, tomorrow with 12 teams, including foreign entry Singapore U23, participating in the two-day event. 13 hours ago FRANCIS TOLENTINO Mans Carpio's friend admits no proof of Japan dinner reimbursement The friend of Vice President Sara Duterte’s husband said he has no proof that he partly reimbursed more than P200,000 of his credit card bill in Japan. 19 hours ago CORRUPTION DUTERTE IMPEACHMENT Chiz cautions senator-judges against harsh questioning of witnesses "An answer which may be unsatisfactory is not inherently contemptible." 1 day ago IMPEACHMENT SALN SARA DUTERTE OK Are you sure you want to log out? Yes No X Login Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!