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Cade Cunningham Downgraded for Pistons-Bucks on Friday

The Detroit Pistons could miss Cade Cunningham on Friday against the Bucks.
Justin Grasso|
Dec 3, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) talks with the referee during a break in the action against the Milwaukee Bucks in the second quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Dec 3, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) talks with the referee during a break in the action against the Milwaukee Bucks in the second quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

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Heading into night two of a back-to-back set, the Detroit Pistons downgraded their star guard, Cade Cunningham. As they face off against the Milwaukee Bucks at home, the Pistons aren’t sure if Cunningham will get the nod to play.

According to the official NBA injury report, Cunningham is listed as questionable due to left patellar tendinopathy. He is likely a game-time decision for Detroit against their division rival.

Lately, Cunningham’s been dealing with multiple setbacks. Along with his recent knee concern, the veteran suffered a calf contusion against the Dallas Mavericks on March 21.

As a result, Cunningham missed six games in a row for the Pistons. He returned to the court last Saturday to face the Memphis Grizzlies. At the time, Cunningham had a restriction on his playing time, only checking in for 28 minutes.

Since then, Cunningham managed to play in the following two games for Detroit. Against the Sacramento Kings, he checked in for 32 minutes, scoring 35 points on 62 percent shooting and dishing out five assists.

On Thursday night, Cunningham helped the Pistons close out their regular-season series against the New York Knicks with a victory. Cunningham checked in for 34 minutes, shooting 67 percent from the field to score 36 points. He also had eight assists during that time.

The Pistons and the Bucks will close out the regular season with two games against each other. While Cunningham has a good chance at playing, Detroit is leaving the door open for a potential absence for the first time in two games.

The Pistons and the Bucks are set for a 7 PM ET tip.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia

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