The Detroit Pistons and their fans can rest easily this evening. Star Point Guard Cade Cunningham picked up right where he left off this evening against the Milwaukee Bucks at home. He finished with 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 10 assists in 26 minutes. Will he be at full strength by the time the NBA Playoffs tip off?
Why Was Cunningham Out?
Cunningham had been sidelined since March 17 with a collapsed lung. Even though it was great to see him back, this return was bittersweet for the star point guard. This was his 62nd game of the NBA season. That means he will fall a few games short of the NBA’s 65-game minimum to be considered for any NBA awards.
Before the collapsed lung, Cunningham looked to be on his way to a top 5 NBA MVP finish and a First Team All-NBA selection. It is a travesty that Cunningham will not be honored for the best regular season of his career. He is one of the many star players who will be ineligible for award consideration. He joins a list of ineligible superstars that features Luka Doncic, Anthony Edwards, and LeBron James.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver should make the unilateral decision to nix the rule. Since there is seemingly no chance of that happening, Cunningham will not be considered for any of the league’s most prestigious awards.
What Is Next For Cade and the Pistons?
Cunningham will look to continue building toward the playoffs over Detroit’s final two games of the regular season. The Pistons acquitted themselves well in the absence of their best player. The emergence of players like Daniss Jenkins makes Detroit a team no opponent will want to see in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.
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