In his first recreation again on the court docket since March 17, Cade Cunningham recorded a double-double as a part of the Detroit Pistons‘ 137-111 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Cunningham logged 26 minutes within the recreation after Detroit revealed its resolution to play him earlier within the day.
He scored 13 factors, connecting on 6-of-11 photographs from the sector, with 10 assists, 5 rebounds and even including a block and a steal as nicely.
A collapsed lung derailed Cade Cunningham’s MVP candidacy
His return got here after lacking 11 video games, stemming from enduring a collapsed lung in a March 17 win in opposition to the Washington Wizards.
Earlier than Cunningham’s prolonged absence, he was an MVP candidate and up for consideration to be named a first-team All-NBA participant.
Cunningham will miss the video games restrict lower to qualify for awards
However as a result of league’s video games performed stipulation, Cunningham will fall simply shy of the required whole of 65 video games with a view to be a candidate for any awards or particular person recognition. Wednesday marked Cunningham’s 62nd recreation performed, however with solely two remaining within the common season, he is run out of time to get to 65.
Cunningham, who was an All-Star for the second consecutive 12 months, has season averages of 24.4 factors, 5.6 boards and 9.9 assists whereas capturing 46.2%.
Cunningham is again simply in time for the Pistons
Nevertheless, getting Cunningham again in time for the postseason is the one factor that issues for the Pistons. And most significantly, Detroit managed to remain on the prime of the Jap Convention standings minus Cunningham, largely due to the emergence of Jalen Duren, who led the best way once more with 21 factors and 9 rebounds in opposition to the Bucks.
With their newest win, the Pistons at the moment are 58-22 and can enter the playoffs because the East’s No. 1 seed. Detroit is one win away from matching the franchise’s most up-to-date win whole excessive – the Pistons went 59-23 within the 2007-08 season.
To his credit score, Cunningham’s play, when obtainable, set Detroit up for the franchise’s greatest common season in nearly 20 years.
