Cade Cunningham

Desperate to both close the curtain on their losing streak and cap off the 2023 calendar year on a positive note, the Detroit Pistons were, fittingly, in need of a closer. As has been a case all season, No. 2 was more than up to the challenge. With the aroma of a victory close enough to both taste and smell, Detroit’s do-it-all guard gets to work, accepting a Toronto Raptors defender’s invitation to drive left before suddenly pumping the breaks for a crafty one-legged stepback, opening a nine-point advantage with 90 seconds to go. Built for the big-time performance, the former 2021 No. 1 pick’s box score was nearly flawless, headlined by a 30-point, 12-assist, zero-turnover masterpiece, alongside three rebounds and one steal to influence the win on December 30, 2023.