DETROIT — Cade Cunningham emerged from the tunnel at Little Caesars Arena and through the smoke machines lining the corner of the court to a Detroit crowd waiting months to see their star player return.

Since the last time Cunningham played a non-preseason game at the Pistons’ home arena, he had earned his first All-NBA nod , made appearances on late-night television shows and put another summer under his belt before beginning his fifth season in the league.

Five times Cunningham has witnessed a season-opener and Sunday’s win over the Boston Celtics was the best to date for the guard thanks to a positive result and an engaged crowd of an announced sellout of 20,062.

“It was probably the best home opener I’ve had in my career,” Cunningham said after scoring a team-best 25 points wi

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