Cade Cunningham Trails Only LeBron, Jokic on Impressive NBA List

Where does Cade Cunningham rank on the NBA's triple-double leaderboard?

Nov 4, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the second half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Throughout the 2024-2025 NBA season, Cade Cunningham has been climbing the Detroit Pistons’ triple-double leaderboard.

Earlier this season, Cunningham surpassed Blake Griffin, Dave Bing, and Dave DeBusschere by acquiring his fourth triple-double in his career. After tying Bob Lanier, Cunningham passed him and got on the same page as Isiah Thomas.

Now that Cunningham has moved past Thomas, he’s left only chasing Grant Hill. Cunningham’s got a long way to go. In 435 games with the Pistons, Hill was just one triple-double shy of having 30 in his career. Cunningham is on pace to compete with Hill’s history.

At this point in the season, Cunningham has secured the third spot for himself on the NBA’s seasonal leaderboard, surpassing Sacramento Kings star Domantas Sabonis.

In 21 games, Cunningham has produced five triple-doubles. Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James ranks in front of him with seven triple-doubles in 23 games.

To no surprise, the multi-time MVP Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is leading the way in the NBA with nine triple-doubles in 19 games.

Cade Cunningham recorded 29 points, 10 rebounds and a career-high 15 assists in tonight's win in New York.

It is his 5th triple-double of the season, the third-most in a season in franchise history (Hill - 13, 10) and third-most in the NBA this season (Jokic - 9, James - 7). pic.twitter.com/NyuxTcfgfJ

— Pistons PR (@Pistons_PR) December 8, 2024

Cunningham’s fifth triple-double of the season came on the road against the New York Knicks. The veteran guard scored 29 points and snagged 10 rebounds off the glass. He found a ton of success in the playmaking department, dishing out 15 assists.

Thanks to Cunningham’s stellar contributions, the Pistons downed the Knicks for the first time since they drafted Cunningham first-overall out of Oklahoma State.

Pistons-Knicks Fun Fact

Prior to Saturday night’s game between the Pistons and the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, the last Pistons win over New York occurred on November 6, 2019. At the time, the Pistons secured their eighth win in a row over the Knicks with a 122-102 victory.

Former Detroit Pistons big man Andre Drummond was the face of the team at the time, as he scored 27 points and posted 12 rebounds. Since then, the Knicks fired off 16-straight wins over the Pistons, including a blowout win earlier this year in Detroit.

When the Pistons finally snapped the streak, fans were reminded that the last time the Pistons defeated the Knicks, Cunningham wasn't even in college yet.

Over the next year, Cunningham starred at Oklahoma State. After making 27 appearances, averaging 20 points, six rebounds, and four assists, Cunningham entered the 2021 NBA Draft. He was selected No. 1 overall by the rebuilding Pistons.

Since joining the Pistons, Cunningham has had six matchups against the Knicks before Sunday’s game.