Cade Cunningham’s Status in Question as Pistons Navigate Depth Ahead of Rockets Matchup
The Detroit Pistons are riding high after notching their fourth straight win, but all eyes are on Cade Cunningham’s availability heading into Friday’s matchup against the Houston Rockets. The star guard is officially listed as questionable, dealing with both a lingering hip issue and a recent illness that sidelined him for Wednesday’s 112-104 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Let’s break down what we know and what it could mean for Detroit’s rotation if Cunningham can’t go.
Cade’s Health: Two Fronts, One Big Question
Cunningham has been managing this hip injury for a few weeks now. He previously missed two games earlier in the month due to a combination of hip and wrist issues but returned to play three straight before sitting out Wednesday. This time around, it’s not just the hip - an illness has crept in, and that seems to be the bigger reason for his most recent absence.
The good news? There’s optimism he could return against Houston.
Unless the illness lingers, he appears to be trending toward playing. But with a bug going around the locker room - Caris LeVert and Ron Holland are also dealing with the same illness - it’s a situation worth monitoring up until tip-off.
Pistons Keep Rolling Without Their Star
Even without Cunningham, the Pistons didn’t miss a beat on Wednesday. They improved to 32-10 on the season, maintaining their firm grip on the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff made an interesting call, handing the starting nod to Daniss Jenkins - who hadn’t played the previous game.
Jenkins responded with poise, dropping 17 points on 5-of-12 shooting in 27 minutes. That’s the kind of next-man-up performance coaches love to see, especially from a player who’s been in and out of the rotation.
Marcus Sasser also made the most of the opportunity. While many expected him to start in Cunningham’s place, Bickerstaff kept him in his usual bench role.
Sasser still made an impact, contributing nine points and tying Jenkins with a team-high four assists in just 21 minutes. His ability to facilitate and create off the dribble gives Detroit a reliable secondary option when Cunningham isn’t on the floor.
Jaden Ivey saw limited action - just 18 minutes - but he’s another name to watch if Cunningham is ruled out again. His athleticism and shot creation could be leaned on more heavily if the Pistons are down another guard.
Who’s In, Who’s Out: Pistons Injury Report
Here’s the latest on Detroit’s injury situation heading into Friday:
- Cade Cunningham - Questionable (illness and hip contusion)
- Ron Holland II - Probable (illness)
- Caris LeVert - Questionable (illness)
- Duncan Robinson - Probable (low back pain)
- Isaac Jones, Wendell Moore Jr., Tolu Smith - OUT (G-League assignments)
With three players out on G-League duty and a few rotational pieces under the weather, Detroit’s depth will be tested again. But if Wednesday’s win showed anything, it’s that this team has developed the kind of resilience and plug-and-play versatility that contenders need during the grind of the regular season.
Final Word
Cunningham’s status is still up in the air, but the Pistons have proven they can weather short-term absences thanks to a deep and adaptable roster. Whether it’s Jenkins stepping up or Sasser providing a spark off the bench, Detroit has options. Still, getting their floor general back would be a major boost as they look to keep the momentum rolling against a Rockets team that’s capable of turning games into track meets.
Keep an eye on the injury report as tip-off approaches - but for now, it looks like Cunningham is on the right side of questionable.