Cade Cunningham was welcomed back to the court as he returned to play against the Bucks on Wednesday. The Detroit Pistons guard achieved a double-double with 13 points and 10 assists in 26 minutes, helping his team secure a 137-111 victory.
Cunningham had been out of action since March 19 due to a collapsed lung sustained in a previous game against the Wizards. Despite his absence, the Pistons managed an 8-3 record. Cunningham expressed gratitude towards the medical staff for helping him feel comfortable during his return.
Coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised the team’s resilience in Cunningham’s absence, emphasizing the players’ commitment to being their best selves. Cunningham’s playing time in the upcoming games will depend on his recovery.
Although a strong candidate for the All-NBA First Team, Cunningham may fall short of eligibility for seasonal awards as he will likely only reach 64 games played this season. The NBA requires players to participate in at least 65 games for consideration.
The Pistons have secured the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and won the Central Division for the first time in 18 years. They aim to win their first playoff series since the 2007-08 season.
Coach Bickerstaff highlighted the importance of building confidence and strategizing for the playoffs during the team’s successful season.
