Cunningham's 52 Points Beat Wizards in Double Overtime, Wolves Rout Mavericks 133-94 and Sixers Win Without LeBron
Detroit's guard became the fifth player since 1977 to score 50 with 10 assists and no turnovers, while Minnesota won by 39 and Philadelphia beat Toronto with LeBron James out.
Friday, November 13, 2026/2 min read
Cade Cunningham scored a career-high 52 points with 11 assists and no turnovers as the Detroit Pistons beat the Washington Wizards 144-140 in double overtime on Thursday night. ESPN reports that he scored 30 points in the fourth quarter and overtimes combined, the most by a Pistons player in the play-by-play era.
It was the standout of four NBA games on the night. Minnesota won by 39, Philadelphia won by 11 with LeBron James out, and Phoenix edged Charlotte by five.
How did Cunningham beat the Wizards?
Trae Young's buzzer-beating three tied the game at 121 and forced overtime, ESPN said. Cunningham then scored a jumper, two free throws and a three to level it at 130, and AJ Dybantsa, the top pick in this year's draft, tied it again for Washington with less than a second left in the first extra period. In the second, Cunningham hit a three to make it 135-132, and Anthony Davis fouled out.
Cunningham shot 16 of 25 and made 17 of 18 free throws, according to NBC Sports. ESPN says he is the fifth player since 1977-78 with a 50-point double-double and no turnovers, joining Michael Jordan (twice), Moses Malone, Carmelo Anthony and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Ausar Thompson added 17 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists for his first career triple-double. Cunningham said it was the best he had ever done it in his NBA career for sure.
Washington had three 30-point scorers, Young with 37, Davis and Alex Sarr with 30 each, for the first time since 1969, ESPN noted, and still lost its sixth straight, NBC Sports said.
What happened in the other Thursday games?
At Target Center, the Timberwolves beat the Mavericks 133-94, their most lopsided win of the season and fifth in a row, ESPN's recap says. LaMelo Ball had 22 points, six three-pointers and a season-high nine assists, and Bones Hyland scored 24 off the bench. Minnesota shot 61 percent in the first half and outscored Dallas 36-17 in the third quarter to go to 9-3. Cooper Flagg finished with 12 for the Mavericks, who fell to 7-5.
In Philadelphia, the 76ers beat the Raptors 123-112 to improve to 10-3, ESPN reports. Tyrese Maxey scored 27, Joel Embiid 20 and Jaylen Brown 18, with LeBron James ruled out with a back injury. Toronto's RJ Barrett had 31 and Immanuel Quickley 25 on the second night of a back-to-back, a night after the Raptors lost a 22-point lead against Boston. The Suns beat the Hornets 101-96, with Devin Booker scoring 30, according to ESPN's scoreboard.
What is next in the NBA?
Toronto hosts the Knicks on Sunday and the 76ers host Indiana the same day, ESPN says. The Pistons, who have now beaten Washington twice in four meetings, will find out soon whether a night like this one is a one-off or the new normal for their star guard.
Published in The Outspoken Digest
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