Cade Cunningham injury update: Pistons’ former No. 1 overall pick may need surgery on shin, per report

The Detroit Pistons try to find out whether or not former No. 1 general choose Cade Cunningham wants surgical procedure on his shin, according to Marc Stein. Cunningham has missed the Pistons’ final 5 video games with what has been described as “shin soreness,” and he might be headed for an excellent longer spell on the sidelines. 

Earlier this month, following his disastrous 1-of-11 capturing efficiency within the Pistons’ 128-112 loss to the Boston Celtics, the group introduced that Cunningham was coping with a shin harm and he would miss the subsequent 4 video games and be re-evaluated in every week. Although unlucky, the difficulty didn’t appear severe when it was introduced; that has now modified. It is nonetheless unclear precisely what’s incorrect with Cunningham’s shin, however surgical procedure being into account is rarely signal. 

If he does certainly must go underneath the knife, that may be much more dangerous information for a Pistons group that has struggled mightily this season. Whereas many anticipated this younger core to take a step ahead, they as an alternative have the worst file within the Japanese Convention at 3-14. Solely the Houston Rockets at 3-13 have a worse successful proportion within the league. 

Accidents have performed an enormous half of their tough begin. Alec Burks, Nerlens Noel, Marvin Bagley III, Isaiah Stewart and first-round choose Jalen Duren have all missed time, and to date simply 4 gamers have appeared in all 17 video games. Cunningham’s absence, although, is probably the most impactful. 

By means of 12 video games, Cunningham has averaged 19.9 factors, 6.2 rebounds and 6 assists per sport, and has a powerful probability to develop into simply the eighth second-year participant in league historical past to place up 20 factors, six rebounds and 6 assists for a full season. Even together with his inefficient capturing, his poise and playmaking have been virtually single-handedly holding their offense afloat. With Cuningham on the ground this season, the Pistons rating 111.2 factors per 100 possessions, which is nearly league common. When he is been out, that quantity plummets to 102.4, which might be by far the worst mark within the league. 

Following their loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, the Pistons have dropped six video games in a row, which is the longest energetic dropping streak within the league. And with Cunningham unlikely to return any time quickly, that skid might be prolonged. Their subsequent 4 video games on this West Coast swing are in opposition to the Sacramento Kings, Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns. 

Whatever the prognosis for Cunningham, it could quickly be time for the Pistons to show their consideration to the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes.