Where J.B. Bickerstaff deserves the most credit in Detroit Pistons turnaround
Bryce and Omari on “The Pistons Pulse” podcast discuss the unexpected pace of play and how J.B. Bickerstaff is adjusting to the roster’s strengths.
MINNEAPOLIS — The return of Cade Cunningham will likely have to wait.
Cunningham is listed as doubtful for the Detroit Pistons (42-33) when they face the NBA-best Oklahoma City Thunder (63-12) on national television Wednesday night (9:30 p.m., ESPN), according to the team’s injury report released Tuesday afternoon.
Cunningham has missed four straight games with a left calf contusion, with the Pistons going 3-1 over the span.
It’s never ideal to be missing a star like Cunningham, but it’ll leave the Pistons extra shorthanded for Wednesday’s game, when they’ll be down a number of rotations players due to suspensions.
After a fight broke out between the Pistons and Timberwolves on Sunday, Isaiah Stewart, Ron Holland and Marcus Sasser will all be out vs. the Thunder while serving suspensions. Stewart will also miss Friday’s game vs. the Raptors, as he was given a two game suspension, while Holland and Sasser just got one game.
The Pistons announced Friday that Cunningham was “day-to-day” with the injury, which he sustained March 21 in a loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
“Recent imaging on Cade Cunningham’s left calf confirmed a left calf contusion that he sustained during the game last week at Dallas (3/21),” the medical update said. “He will continue his treatment regimen with the Pistons’ athletic training staff. Cunningham will be listed as day-to-day moving forward.”
Cunningham, an All-Star for the first time this season, is averaging 25.7 points, 9.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game.
The Pistons, nearing a playoff berth for the first time in six years, next play Friday at the Toronto Raptors, then host the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday.
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