Cade Cunningham is on track to return, and not a moment too soon for the Pistons.
Detroit’s All-Star guard is expected to return to the lineup Wednesday against the Bucks after missing the past 11 games, per ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill. It’s been a strange stretch, too.
What started as back spasms turned into a back contusion. Then came the bigger surprise. A collapsed lung.
That kept Cunningham sidelined far longer than anyone initially expected.
Before all that, he was putting together a season that had him in the MVP conversation. Nearly 25 points. Close to 10 assists. Leading a team that’s sitting atop the East.
Now, the awards stuff? That’s probably off the table.
Cunningham won’t hit the 65-game minimum, which means no MVP votes and likely no All-NBA — unless the league steps in with some kind of exception.
But that’s not really what this is about anymore.
The Pistons are 57-22. They’ve held things together without him, going 8-3 over that stretch. Impressive, sure.
Still, everyone knows this only goes so far without their best player. If Detroit is going to make a real run, it needs Cunningham healthy. Simple as that.
He’s still officially listed as questionable, and even if he plays, expect some sort of minutes limit.
But the important part? He’s close. Maybe back. And for a No. 1 seed heading into the playoffs, that’s what matters most.
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