Cade Cunningham, Paolo Banchero React to Making NBA Playoff History During Pistons' Win vs. Magic

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham and Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero put on a show during Wednesday's clash in the NBA playoffs.

Cunningham had 45 points, four rebounds and five assists as the Pistons won 116-109. Banchero matched his scoring output while flirting with a triple-double, adding nine rebounds and seven assists.

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This was just the second time in history that two players scored 45-plus points in the same playoff game. Cunningham also passed Dave Bing to set a new franchise scoring record in the postseason.

"That's what's up," he said, per ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. "I'm sure it was a great game. Hope the fans enjoy it, but it was a great win for us. ... Not everybody is blessed with those types of opportunities to have pressure and things on the line like that. A lot of times I feel undeserving of how great of moments I get to be a part of. Just try to make the most of it."

Having come out on the losing end, Banchero couldn't fully appreciate what he and Cunningham achieved.

"In the heat of the moment, you're not really thinking about it," he said. "You're just thinking about getting the win. But sure, one day [I'll] look back and be like, 'That was a hell of a game.' But me and him have been going at it since AAU days. So no surprise there that happened."

Donovan Mitchell and Jamal Murray were responsible for the first time this happened. They each had 50 points in Game 4 of the first-round epic between the Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets in 2020.

Without discrediting the pair too much, that unfolded within the NBA's Walt Disney World bubble. The unique conditions created a setting ripe for scoring.

Cunningham and Banchero didn't have that benefit.

Their offensive explosion also marked a big contrast from how the series had unfolded before Wednesday. The Magic and Pistons are 12th and 15th, respectively, in scoring among the 16 playoff teams.

Cunningham's heroics may have just delayed the inevitable. Orlando is still up 3-2 and will host Game 6. Detroit needs its franchise cornerstone to keep delivering in order to avoid an embarrassing exit.