All Pistons

Could Cade Cunningham Return for Pistons-Hornets?

After missing action on Friday, Cade Cunningham has a shot at returning for the Detroit Pistons against the Charlotte Hornets.
Justin Grasso|
Nov 21, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) drives in and scores during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
Nov 21, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) drives in and scores during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images

In this story:

Detroit PistonsCharlotte Hornets

When the Detroit Pistons hit the court for a Friday night matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, they were down a key player in Cade Cunningham.

As the All-Star guard was dealing with an ankle sprain, the Pistons put Cunningham’s playing status in doubt leading up to the matchup. Ultimately, he was ruled out for the first time in a while.

Ahead of Sunday’s action against the Charlotte Hornets, Cunningham has been upgraded. While he’s not in the clear just yet, the Pistons consider Cunningham probable to play.

Without Cunningham on Friday against the Sixers, the Pistons did just fine. Detroit dominated the matchup through the first half, which gave them plenty of cushion in crunch time.

The Sixers battled back in the second half, with a dominant scoring showing by Joel Embiid in the third quarter, but the Pistons were able to counter and avoid any comeback scares.

The Pistons collected a 13-point win to move to the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 26-26 record.

Friday’s game marked the first absence for Cunningham since the November 30 matchup against the Sixers. Since then, Cunningham competed in 29 games. He averaged 27 points, six rebounds, and 10 assists during that stretch while shooting 46 percent from the field and 34 percent from three.

The Pistons will look to build on their Friday night success while facing the 13-36 Hornets. While Charlotte has played Detroit tough this week, they have struggled to overcome their injury concerns as they’ve won just two of their last 10 games.

More Pistons on SI

Detroit Pistons Veteran Opens up on Requesting to Not be Traded

Detroit Pistons Make Post-Trade Deadline Roster Move

Dennis Schroder’s Social Media Post After Joining Detroit Pistons

Detroit Pistons Star Cade Cunningham Named to NBA All-Star Event

Former Detroit Pistons Player Included in Marcus Smart Trade

Published
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

Share on XFollow JGrasso_
Home/News