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This wasn’t the start Detroit had envisioned. Despite finishing with the best record in the Eastern Conference, the Pistons stumbled badly in Game 1 against the Orlando Magic (101-112), immediately losing home-court advantage in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

It’s a bitter pill to swallow, made even worse by the news that followed the game: Cade Cunninghamwho dropped 39 points, was officially left out of the MVP finalistssnubbed alongside Luka Doncic despite a season worthy of at least a top-three finish behind Shai, Jokic, and Wembanyama.

Cunningham carried Detroit on his shoulders: along with his 39 points, he added 5 rebounds and 4 assists while shooting 48% from the field. A true leader’s performance that ultimately went to waste due to a sluggish team approach.

Perhaps, despite returning to the playoffs last season after a five-year absence, the Pistons still felt the pressure of being the No. 1 seed.

Detroit’s leader didn’t hold back in his self-criticism, despite the 39-point outing, pointing to ball movement issues against Orlando’s defensive “wall”:

On the other side, Orlando celebrates a huge road win with a balanced effort: Paolo Banchero led a starting five in double figures with 23 points and 9 reboundsfollowed by 19 from Franz Wagner, 17 each from Desmond Bane and Wendell Carter Jr., and 16 from Jalen Suggs.

Game 2scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, could already be a turning point in what projects to be a tightly contested series. And if being left out of the league’s top honors becomes extra motivation, Cunningham will be the first ready to respond with a chip on his shoulder.