NBA Fans Sound Off on Detroit Pistons Ruling Out Cade Cunningham

Cade Cunningham was a late scratch against the Sixers.

Oct 30, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) drives past Philadelphia 76ers forward Caleb Martin (16) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The Philadelphia 76ers prepared for a Cade Cunningham-led Detroit Pistons team on Saturday night. When the Pistons submitted their injury report on Saturday afternoon, Cunningham wasn’t listed for the first time in over a week, which signaled he was good to go.

When the Pistons revealed their initial starting five 30 minutes before the game tipped off, Cunningham was listed as a starter. Shortly before the Pistons and the Sixers battled it out, Detroit switched Cunningham out in favor of Malik Beasley.

Suddenly, the star guard was deemed inactive.

After the game, Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff explained the reason behind the late scratch.

"It was one of those things where we had a conversation, he went out and tried to get going, and we just thought it was the right thing to do for precautionary reasons because of how he was feeling and what he came back from,” Bickerstaff told reporters.

Lately, Cunningham has been dealing with a pelvis injury. He missed multiple games leading up to Friday’s action against the Indiana Pacers. For the first time since landing on the injury report, Cunningham was upgraded to questionable. He ended up playing in the NBA Cup action in Indiana.

In 33 minutes, Cunningham made 53 percent of his shots to score 24 points. He also produced 11 assists and six rebounds en route to a 24-point win over the Pacers.

NBA fans hoped to see Cunningham continue his return against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night. Instead, they got a Jaden Ivey-Malik Beasley backcourt duo. It’s safe to say that fans of the game—especially those with a betting interest—were not thrilled with the Pistons’ decision to hold out Cunningham last-minute.

Nov 29, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) shoots the ball in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

NBA Fans React to Cade Cunningham’s Late Scratch

@quisstar: Cade Cunningham being ruled 1 min before tip off is killing me

Cade Cunningham being ruled 1 min before tip off is killing me

— Quis Star. (@quisstar) December 1, 2024

@maddoggmike24: Cade Cunningham needs to be bubble wrapped. He’s the most fragile dude ever.

Cade Cunningham needs to be bubble wrapped. He’s the most fragile dude ever.

— Mike Millen (@MaddoggMike24) December 1, 2024

@mrjosephnkelly: The NBA really has to do something about these late scratches. Cade literally called out at the last minute.

The NBA really has to do something about these late scratches. Cade literally called out at the last minute. #cadecunningham #detroitpistons #nba #fantasysports pic.twitter.com/hUejqnZfIy

— Joseph N Kelly (@mrjosephnkelly) December 1, 2024

@SanDiegoClips: Cade Cunningham being ruled out 10 minutes before tipoff but then fully dressed in a casual outfit on the bench is nuts

Cade Cunningham being ruled out 10 minutes before tipoff but then fully dressed in a casual outfit on the bench is nuts

— 🦾🤐 (@SanDiegoClips) December 1, 2024

@Randysaloser: Cade Cunningham scratched last minute, really last minute..

Cade Cunningham scratched last minute, really last minute..

— Mr. Carter (@Randysaloser) December 1, 2024