The Pistons are fully healthy for the first time this season, as Cade Cunningham is making his return to action after missing nearly three weeks due to a knee injury, per The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III (Twitter link). After Monte Morris made his season debut on Wednesday, the Pistons will have their full rotation available on Saturday.
With Cunningham active, the Pistons turned to a starting lineup of Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Bojan Bogdanovic, Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren, according to Omari Sankofa II of Detroit Free Press (Twitter link). When Cunningham was out, Killian Hayes drew the start in his place, averaging 4.4 points and 7.4 assists per game during that stretch. He’ll head back to the bench with Cunningham healthy.
Getting Cunningham back is undoubtedly a huge boost for a Pistons team whose second unit appears to be clicking more as of late. Morris helped in his return, and Detroit has looked better since acquiring veterans Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala in a trade with the Wizards on Jan. 14. For what it’s worth, the Pistons are 2-3 since that trade, with the ninth-best offensive rating in the league in that stretch. They also haven’t lost a game by double digits since Jan. 10.
In 36 games (all starts) with Detroit this season, Cunningham holds averages of 22.8 points, 7.3 assists and 4.1 rebounds. He leads the team in points and assists.
7 turnovers. Yikes.