Cade Cunningham Ejected After Nasty Dunk

Detroit's young star picked up two technical fouls resulting in his ejection.

The NBA has really cracked down on taunting in recent years and today, it cost Detroit Piston rookie star Cade Cunningham about a quarter and a half of play.

Oh my GOODNESS! That was nasty, @CadeCunningham_! #Pistons pic.twitter.com/UMwaYTCUFp

— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) January 16, 2022

After wheeling, driving baseline and dunking on Phoenix Suns big man Jalen Smith, Cunningham pointed at his opponent, which resulted in him picking up his second technical foul. Cunningham had to watch the remaining 16:23 of game action from the locker room.

However, upon closer inspection, and after hearing Cunningham explain the situation, it seemed as if he was pointing to people he knew at the game and was not rubbing the dunk in anyone's face at all.

"I had my people behind the bench," Cunningham said. "I probably should have processed the situation after."

Cunningham has never been billed as that type of player and definitely didn't seem to even be looking at Smith when you view the replay from a different angle. 

Either way, it's a learning experience for the popular rookie and regardless of who he was pointing at, he did while down 20 and with just 10 wins on the season. It's hard to keep emotions like that in check in the middle of a game, but it's something to think about as he matures and grows in the NBA.