Cade Cunningham Returns for Detroit Pistons With Double-Double in Rout of Bucks

Detroit Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham made his highly anticipated return to the lineup on Wednesday night, helping lead the Pistons to a dominant 137-111 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. After missing 11 games due to a collapsed lung, Cunningham wasted no time re-establishing his presence on the court, recording a double-double in 26 minutes of action.

Cunningham finished the night with 13 points on 6-of-11 shooting, 10 assists, and five rebounds. His impact was felt early; within the first seven minutes of the opening quarter, he scored four points, highlighted by a dunk set up by an alley-oop pass from Ausar Thompson.

The Road Back from Injury

The injury occurred on March 17 during a win over the Washington Wizards. Cunningham suffered a collapsed left lung after diving for a loose ball and colliding with Tre Johnson. While there were initial concerns that he might miss the remainder of the regular season and only ramp up his activity in the week leading up to the playoffs, his recovery accelerated.

Cunningham had been listed as doubtful in the days leading up to the Milwaukee game and was upgraded to questionable after being seen shooting during warmups. “I felt really good out there,” Cunningham said following the win. “I have to thank the medical staff and the trainers, because they got me into a great place where I felt comfortable for all my minutes.”

Pistons Maintain Dominance in His Absence

While Cunningham’s return provides a significant boost, the Pistons proved they could thrive without their star playmaker. During his 11-game absence, Detroit posted an 8-3 record. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff noted that the team’s success stemmed from a collective effort to step up.

“No one thought they could replace Cade, but everyone decided they were going to be the best version of themselves,” Bickerstaff said. “That’s enough for us to be successful.”

The Pistons currently hold a 57-22 record and have clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time since the 2006-07 season. The team has secured its first Central Division title since 2007-08. For a franchise that has struggled for years, this season marks a historic turnaround, and the team is now eyeing its first playoff series win since the 2007-08 campaign.

The 65-Game Award Controversy

Despite a breakout fifth year, Cunningham finds himself at the center of a league-wide debate regarding the NBA’s 65-game minimum rule. Introduced during the 2023-24 season, the rule requires players to appear in at least 65 games to be eligible for major seasonal awards, including MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and All-NBA teams.

Before his return, Cunningham was averaging 24.5 points, 9.9 assists (ranking second in the NBA behind Nikola Jokić), 5.6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game. However, his availability is a mathematical hurdle. Reports on his exact game count vary slightly, with some records indicating 61 games and others 62; regardless, he is projected to reach only 64 games even if he plays in Detroit’s final two regular-season contests.

There is, however, a potential loophole. The collective bargaining agreement includes an “extraordinary circumstances challenge,” which allows a player’s situation to be reviewed by an independent arbitrator jointly selected by the NBA and the NBPA. Given the nature of a collapsed lung, Cunningham may have a path to qualify for postseason honors via this review.

Bickerstaff acknowledged the difficulty of the rule but remained neutral on the outcome. “I respect what they are trying to do with the rule — fans pay a lot of money to see superstars play, not rest,” Bickerstaff said. “It puts me in a tough spot, but I know people are talking about exceptions.”

Looking Toward the Postseason

With the No. 1 seed secured and home-court advantage locked in for the Eastern Conference, the Pistons are now focused on health and rhythm. Bickerstaff stated that Cunningham’s minutes in the final two regular-season games will be determined by how he feels on Thursday.

The NBA playoffs are scheduled to begin on April 18. For Detroit, the goal is clear: integrate their star point guard back into the rotation seamlessly to maximize their chances of a deep run.

Next Checkpoint: The Pistons will wrap up their regular season with two remaining games before the playoffs commence on April 18.

Do you think the NBA should grant Cade Cunningham an exception for the 65-game rule? Let us know in the comments.