Cunningham’s Injury Clouds Awards Chase as Pistons Push Toward Playoffs
pistons-cunningham-injury-duren-jenkins-playoff-robinson
Detroit guard Cade Cunningham faces a two-week absence after being diagnosed with a collapsed lung, leaving him four games shy of the NBA’s 65-game threshold for Most Valuable Player and All-NBA consideration. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Friday he hopes the league revisits the rule, arguing that players with “serious injuries” should not feel compelled to suit up while hurt simply to remain eligible for postseason honors.
“Guys shouldn’t have to play injured to make something like that happen,” Bickerstaff told reporters before the club’s 115-101 home win over Golden State.
Pistons stay hot without their star
With Cunningham sidelined, second-year center Jalen Duren delivered a team-high 23 points and six rebounds, pushing his season averages to 19.2 points and 10.5 boards. Detroit’s three-game winning streak coincides with Duren leading the club in scoring.
“I’ve always known I can be one of the better players in this league,” said Duren, who becomes a restricted free agent this summer. “There’s still a lot I can get better at, but I’m proud of everybody.”
Rookie guard Daniss Jenkins started in Cunningham’s place and produced 22 points, eight assists and seven rebounds—his fourth 20-point outing of the season. Jenkins, upgraded from a two-way contract to a two-year deal in February, called the lineup shuffle “a different challenge” and urged teammates to elevate their games during Cunningham’s absence.
Injury list grows
Detroit played the second half of a back-to-back without Isaiah Stewart (left calf strain), Marcus Sasser (right hip soreness) and Kevin Huerter (right shoulder contusion) in addition to Cunningham.
Playoff spot secured
Friday’s victory clinched a postseason berth for Detroit, which fell to the Knicks in the first round last spring. Bickerstaff said that series provided enough experience for a deeper run this time. “Our guys were able to go on the road and win two playoff games in the Garden,” he noted. “That says our guys have what it takes to do it and then do it again.”
Robinson cites culture shift
Veteran forward Duncan Robinson, who joined Detroit after the franchise’s 14-win season two years ago, credited the turnaround to a stronger identity. “We know who we are, and we know what’s required night to night in order to win,” Robinson told The Athletic. “A guy like Cade, that’s your leader. Jalen has obviously flourished into that role as well.”
The Pistons visit Chicago on Sunday before embarking on a three-game Western Conference trip.
Source: Hoops Rumors
