Cade Cunningham is projected to miss the remainder of the regular season after being diagnosed with a collapsed lung, but the Detroit Pistons believe the All-Star guard could return in time for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals on April 18.
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff confirmed before Thursday’s matchup in Washington that Cunningham will be re-evaluated in two weeks. Team officials are optimistic the injury will heal by then, allowing the 23-year-old to begin a week of non-contact work followed by at least one week of full-contact practice ahead of the postseason.
“It’s tough for Cade to go through what he’s going through now,” Bickerstaff said. “He’s a huge part of what we do from a leadership standpoint.”
Offense to run through Duren
With Cunningham sidelined, Bickerstaff said the offense will flow more frequently through center Jalen Duren. “The ball is going to be in his hands a ton,” the coach noted. Duren responded with 24 points, 11 rebounds and two steals in just 25 minutes as Detroit cruised past the Wizards by 22.
Milestone victory
Thursday’s win was Detroit’s 50th of the season, marking the franchise’s first 50-plus campaign since 2007-08, when it finished 59-23. The Pistons now hold a four-game cushion over Boston for the East’s top seed.
Thompson nearly posts double-double
Third-year wing Ausar Thompson, appearing in his third game after a right ankle sprain, contributed 10 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal in 22 minutes. Thompson said the team is channeling Cunningham’s energy during his absence. “We play with him in our mind,” he explained. “When he comes back we’re going to be very excited and ready for him to step in and do what he does.”
Source: Hoops Rumors
