Cade Cunningham delivered a masterclass performance, scoring 42 points as the NBA-leading Detroit Pistons rolled past the New York Knicks 126-111 on Thursday, marking the league’s return from its brief All-Star break.

The matchup, billed as a clash between two red-hot Eastern Conference contenders, quickly became Cunningham’s showcase. He also contributed 13 assists and eight rebounds, solidifying his credentials as a potential Most Valuable Player while leading a young Pistons squad to the NBA’s best record this season, now 41-13.

After the game, Cunningham downplayed the result, emphasizing that the team has “proved nothing yet.”

“It’s regular season, so we just have to keep on chipping at it, keep on growing, keep on getting better and preparing for the postseason,” he said. “We’re off to a great start. Obviously, we feel great about that. But everything is to come.”

Detroit, rebuilt from the bottom of the Eastern Conference just two years ago, remain underdogs in most title predictions. They were also missing forward Isaiah Stewart and All-Star centre Jalen Duren due to suspensions from a brawl with the Charlotte Hornets last week.

“Missing Stew, JD, that’s a big part of our team. A big part of why we are where we are. So everyone had to step up,” Cunningham said.

The Knicks entered the contest third in the East, boasting 10 wins from their previous 12 games. Detroit, with 12 wins from 15, had extra motivation: revenge after New York eliminated them in last year’s first-round playoffs. Thursday’s victory also completed a three-game regular season sweep over the Knicks.

“It felt great,” Cunningham said, highlighting three three-pointers in the first quarter, two more later, and a thunderous driving dunk in the third.

Elsewhere, Jaylen Brown recorded a triple-double as the in-form Boston Celtics cruised past the Golden State Warriors 121-110. The Celtics, consolidating second in the Eastern Conference, led by as much as 34 points in the third quarter. Brown finished with 23 points, 13 assists, and 15 rebounds, while Payton Pritchard contributed 26 points off the bench in Boston’s seventh win in eight games.

“It’s early, first game back,” Brown said. “I’m just being aggressive, finding my spots.”

Cleveland Cavaliers extended their winning streak to six with a 112-84 win over the Brooklyn Nets

Jalen Johnson starred for the Atlanta Hawks in a 117-107 road win against the Philadelphia 76ers and three steals.

Kevin Durant scored 35 points as the Houston Rockets edged past the Charlotte Hornets 105-101.

In the Western Conference, the Sacramento Kings set an unwanted franchise record with a 15-game losing streak after a 131-94 defeat to the Orlando Magic.

Meanwhile, the second-placed San Antonio Spurs kept up the pressure on the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder with a 121-94 win over the Phoenix Suns. The Spurs’ seventh straight victory moves them to 39-16, still trailing the Thunder’s 42-14 record.