"We all wanted it tonight" - Cade Cunningham wants Pistons to move forward after Celtics snap their 13-game winning streak

The Detroit Pistons stood on the verge of making franchise history, but the Boston Celtics slammed the door shut, ending their winning streak at 13 in a thrilling 117-114 NBA Cup victory at the Garden.

No one hated how the game ended more than Cade Cunningham, who crumbled in the clutch after turning the ball over in the final seconds and missing the game-tying free throw.

Talking to reporters after the game, Cunningham said the Pistons were focused on the ultimate goal, viewing the winning streak as just icing on the cake of their pursuit of an NBA championship. But it did not take long for him to drop the act.

"Yeah, we all wanted it tonight. We all wanted 14 wins," Cade admitted. "We're not gonna act like it doesn't mean anything to us. It's a big deal. We all wanted to be on that side of history. But it didn't happen."

However, the All-Star point guard knew that there was no use dwelling on their regrets.

"We can't go back. I can't shoot the free throw again. We can't get up on threes again. The game's over with," he said. "So it's about how we're gonna respond. It's a lot of season left to go accomplish a lot of great things, and that's where our mind is at."

Cade's late-game woes

The game was close all the way through, going down to the wire in the final minutes, where Cunningham usually thrives. Against the Indiana Pacers a few days ago, he drilled the dagger hook shot that virtually secured their 112-115 win.

However, he could not replicate that against the Celtics, failing to close out an otherwise MVP-caliber performance after crumbling in the clutch.

First, Cunningham, who had just missed a potential go-ahead triple, lost the ball with 12.8 seconds left in the game, and the Pistons were only trailing 111-110.

Then, after Anfernee Simons' two free throws put Boston ahead, 115-112, he got a chance at redemption, drawing a foul on his half-court 3-point attempt. He sank the first two free throws but fumbled the game-tying shot.

Cunningham, who finished with 42 points, eight assists and five rebounds, looks to bounce back in the next game.

"We're not worried about the past anymore, moving forward and try to be the best basketball team we can be," he said.

Related: "I am watching the greatest 3-man backcourt in NBA history" - Skip Bayless gives major props to the L.A. Lakers "Big 3"

Bickerstaff is proud of the Pistons

Despite the loss, the Pistons are still leading the East with a 15-3 record. This was merely a minor setback in an otherwise long season.

Sure, it would have been nice to break the franchise record. Being mentioned alongside the historic 1990 "Bad Boy" Pistons and the 2004 team is an honor in itself; surpassing what they have accomplished would have been even sweeter.

However, for J.B. Bickerstaff, not winning 14 in a row does not diminish the team's early hard work, something they will build on moving forward.

"I couldn't be more proud of the group, win or loss. That's just how they make you feel when you're around them every single day," Bickerstaff said after the game. "They're a phenomenal group of guys to work with. So I'm very fortunate to be in this position with these guys. I never take that for granted."

The 1990 and 2004 Pistons both won the NBA championship. Perhaps this year's Pistons' winning streak, which stopped at 13, can be taken as a good sign.

But superstitions can only get them so far. Working hard and playing good basketball is what's gonna take Cunningham and his squad to the mountaintop – and that's what they're going to do moving forward.

Related: "I'm not even trying to be funny" - Lou Williams reveals why kids are rejecting Steph Curry's shoes

This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Nov 27, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.