What the heck are people thinking? Cade Cunningham is one of the biggest breakout stars in the NBA this season, and he somehow didn’t make the cut to be a starter in the 2025 NBA All-Star game. As a Detroit Pistons fan, it’s upsetting, but even if I wasn’t a Pistons fan, it just doesn’t make sense.
It’s not over, though, because next week, Cunningham will find out if he makes the second cut. If he doesn’t, I’m really going to start questioning the meaning of life.
Cade Cunningham and the 2025 NBA All-Stars
Cunningham just missed the votes needed to be a starter in the 2025 NBA All-Star game, set for February at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. Cunningham wasn’t one of the top vote-getting guards in the Eastern Conference. He landed tied for fifth in the roster that puts together fan, player and media votes.
So, who made the cut? New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson was the first starter announced on TNT Thursday evening, January 23, followed by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell. Finishing up third was Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball, and fourth was Atlanta’s Trae Young. Cunningham and Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard finished fifth. Cunningham was fifth in the player vote, sixth in the fan vote and fourth in the media vote.
But, Cunningham could make the All-Star reserves. The reserves are picked by the NBA’s 30 head coaches and will be announced on Thursday, January 30.
As for who made the cut, the East lineup features New York’s Karl-Anthony Towns, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokoumpo and Boston’s Jason Tatum. The West roster is Golden State’s Stephen Curry and Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are the backcourt starters, with Denver’s Nikola Jokić, Phoenix’s Kevin Durant and the Lakers’ LeBron James.
Cunningham is having a stellar season, averaging 24.6 points, 9.4 assists, 6.4 rebounds and almost a full block and steal per game. He’s in demand in the media, too, as Cunningham has recently appeared on interviews on ESPN and TNT.
Cade Asks Fans to Give the Pistons a Chance
Speaking about the fan vote during an interview with TNT, Cunningham asked fans to watch the Pistons play.
“I know we don’t have (national) TV games right now, but if you do get the opportunity, get League Pass,” Cunningham said. “Check us out and I think I can audition for you there. But, more than anything, I think my team is playing at a higher level.”
He added, “We are winning games, we’re competing for the playoffs, and that’s what everybody wanted from the Pistons this year. We wanted growth, and I think our team is doing better and better, and I’m trying to lead that.”
When asked what he thinks an All-Star player is, Cunningham had a good answer.
“Guys that are putting on performances every night they play,” Cunningham said. “That’s what you want to see in your All-Star.”
As NBA analyst and expert Kevin McCormick noted in a January 24 feature, “Despite not being named a starter, Cunningham still has a path to getting his first All-Star nod. He could be chosen as a reserve if he is selected by coaches around the league.”