Pistons clinch East’s top seed despite Cade Cunningham absence

The Pistons have secured the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference despite being without franchise guard Cade Cunningham, who is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season with a collapsed lung.

Detroit clinched home-court advantage throughout the East playoffs with a 116-93 win over Philadelphia and has gone 7-2 since Cunningham’s injury, with both losses coming in overtime.

In Cunningham’s absence, production has been distributed across the roster. Center Jalen Duren has taken on a larger offensive role, while guard Daniss Jenkins has provided increased playmaking.

Players have pointed to a renewed defensive focus during the stretch.

“With Cade here we were more relaxed… but since he’s been gone we all gathered around,” Ausar Thompson said. “We had to make up for less offense on the defensive side.”

Detroit has ranked among the league’s top defenses since Cunningham’s injury and held Philadelphia under 100 points in Saturday’s win.

“Cade goes out. We didn’t take the backseat mentality,” forward Tobias Harris said, via Vincent Goodwill of ESPN. “Let’s go show everybody we can ball.”

Cunningham is expected to be reevaluated within a week and could return for the start of the postseason.

“Super excited,” Thompson told ESPN. “I can’t wait to have him back.”