Cade Cunningham Powers Detroit Pistons to Victory Over Charlotte Hornets in Chaotic NBA Matchup
Cade Cunningham delivered a stellar performance with 33 points and nine rebounds, guiding the Detroit Pistons to a hard-fought 110-104 win against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night, as reported by the Associated Press. The game, which took place on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, Philippine time, was marked by intense physicality and multiple ejections that overshadowed the on-court action.
Pistons Snap Hornets' Impressive Winning Streak Amidst On-Court Turmoil
This victory was particularly significant as it ended the Charlotte Hornets' nine-game winning streak, a run that had bolstered their season momentum. However, the contest turned volatile, with a major brawl erupting in the third quarter and leading to a total of five ejections, including Hornets coach Charles Lee, who had to be restrained from confronting an official during the fourth period.
Key Contributors and the Escalation of Tensions
For the Pistons, Duncan Robinson provided crucial support with 18 points, while Jalen Duren added 15 points before his involvement in the third-quarter melee resulted in his ejection. On the Hornets' side, Brandon Miller led the scoring with 24 points, backed by strong 20-point performances from both LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel.
The game's primary confrontation began midway through the third quarter when Duren, fouled by Moussa Diabate on a drive, struck Diabate in the face with an open hand. This incident sparked a scuffle that lasted over 30 seconds and involved Miles Bridges charging at Duren, while Isaiah Stewart left the bench to confront Bridges. Following a thorough review, officials ejected Diabate, Bridges, Duren, and Stewart from the game.
Late-Game Drama and Final Moments
The intensity peaked in the final period when coach Charles Lee was ejected after Grant Williams collided with Detroit's Paul Reed. Despite the chaos, the Hornets mounted a late comeback, narrowing the deficit to just four points in the final minute. However, Miller and Knueppel missed critical three-point attempts on the next possession, squandering their chance to tie or take the lead.
Tobias Harris then hit a key jumper to extend the Pistons' lead to six points with only 40 seconds remaining. LaMelo Ball responded with a driving layup to cut the lead to four with 17 seconds left, but Cade Cunningham sealed the victory by calmly sinking two free throws in the dying seconds, ensuring the Pistons' triumph.
Other NBA Results from the Night
In other NBA action across the league, several games produced notable outcomes:
- The Brooklyn Nets secured a 123-115 victory over the Chicago Bulls.
- The New Orleans Pelicans dominated the Sacramento Kings with a 120-94 win.
- The Utah Jazz edged out the Miami Heat in a close 115-111 contest.
- The Orlando Magic defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 118-99.
- The Minnesota Timberwolves overpowered the Atlanta Hawks 138-116.
- The Cleveland Cavaliers won a tight 119-117 game on the road against the Denver Nuggets.
- The Oklahoma City Thunder triumphed 119-110 over the Los Angeles Lakers.
- The Golden State Warriors beat the Memphis Grizzlies.
- The Portland Trail Blazers topped the Philadelphia 76ers.
This night of basketball showcased not only competitive matchups but also the high stakes and emotional intensity that define the NBA season, with the Pistons-Hornets game standing out as a particularly memorable and contentious affair.
