The Detroit Pistons just couldn’t do it again, as the Cleveland Cavaliers stole their toughness in Game 7. The most important home game of the season ended in a humiliating upset, but Cade Cunningham wasn’t ready to bow out. Having been the number one seed all year long, the former No. 1 pick believed this was Detroit’s chance.

However, none of it helped tonight, as even the Pistons’ cornerstone scored a playoff-low 13 points.

“Yeah, you know, that game sucked. Being back home definitely wanted to get this win in front of the fans,” he told reporters after the 125-94 loss.

The Pistons were in this position before. In the first round, they trailed 1-3 against the Magic but managed to win the last three games.

There was a chance to do it against the Cavaliers, too. But as Cunningham admitted, the Cavs “did everything they needed to do to win the game tonight, and we fell short of that.” Any loss is upsetting. However, for Cade Cunningham, it stings to be going home this early. After a 60-win finish, he didn’t feel like there would be any unfinished business.

“It’s not a great feeling. I hadn’t been thinking about the offseason. So, you know, my mind’s been racing now, trying to figure out what I’ve got to do, what it’s going to look like. That’s really it,” the Pistons point guard said.

He did discuss it to some extent. The 24-year-old wants to be a “better athlete” coming into next year, particularly working on his body to handle the relentless playoff schedule. But this was a breakout season even without the championship. Cunningham led the Pistons to a top finish, winning the third most games in the league this season.

The 2x All-Star also spoke highly of the identity they’ve built. The Pistons play with physicality and unlimited energy. The team built the foundation over the years and has shown improvement in both seasons under J.B. Bickerstaff. In fact, this was by far their best campaign in a very long time.

J.B. Bickerstaff won’t allow the Pistons to be disappointed

The Pistons had the most wins in the East and a chance to close a series out at home. With a 78% win margin at the Little Caesars Arena, Cade Cunningham felt this season was a “great opportunity.” The feeling of not achieving enough lingers. The Detroit Pistons and Cunningham carry a chip on their shoulder after falling short.

But disappointment? J.B. Bickerstaff won’t allow that word to be associated with the Pistons group.

“These guys have improved massively and done a great job. Anything other than positivity towards this group is unacceptable. To turn around from where we’ve come from, what these guys have been willing to do. Everybody wants to win a championship every year. But how much did you improve? Did you sacrifice for the greater good of the team? Our guys did that collectively every single day… We got better, and we put ourselves in a position to be here. There’s nothing disappointing about this group and the outcome of this,” the Pistons head coach said.

When you think about it, this is just the second season that the Pistons have adjusted to playing with winning expectations. Three seasons ago, they finished with the worst record in the league. Since then, Detroit has found itself again. It’s not the ‘Bad Boys,’ but the team had carried the Pistons’ defiant culture.

Jalen Duren became an All-Star and one of the most imposing bigs in the league. Ausar Thompson took a historic leap as an elite defender. Detroit also won its first playoff series in 18 years. Most importantly, the Pistons played as a team, through all the good and the ugly.