Injury Roundup: Cade Cunningham Battles Through, Ty Jerome Nears Return, and Bennedict Mathurin Eyes Comeback
Let’s take a closer look at three key players across the league who are navigating the tricky terrain of injury management - and what their respective situations mean moving forward for the Pistons, Grizzlies, and Pacers.
Cade Cunningham: Grit Meets Caution in Detroit
Cade Cunningham is walking a fine line right now - and it’s all about managing a wrist injury on his shooting hand while trying to stay on the floor for the Pistons.
This isn’t your garden-variety tweak. We're talking about the kind of injury that can linger and mess with every aspect of a shooter’s rhythm.
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff acknowledged just how complicated this one is, especially given it’s on Cunningham’s dominant hand.
For a player who thrives on touch, timing, and confidence in his jumper, even a minor hitch can throw things off.
Cunningham believes the issue dates back to a hard fall against the Cavaliers on January 4, and things got worse the very next night after taking another hit against the Knicks. Since then, it’s been a balancing act between playing through discomfort and not doing further damage.
He’s been trying to downplay the concern publicly, saying he felt good heading into Sunday’s game. But behind the scenes, it’s clear the mental side has been just as tough as the physical. Trusting the shot, resisting the flinch, and figuring out how to contribute while managing pain - that’s the battle right now.
The silver lining? According to Cunningham, playing through it shouldn’t make the injury worse unless he takes another direct shot to the wrist.
That’s why he’s pushing to stay on the court. But Detroit is understandably being cautious, knowing that long-term health is the priority.
So this is a day-by-day situation, with toughness and caution constantly tugging in opposite directions.
Ty Jerome: Memphis May Be Days Away From Getting a Key Piece Back
The Grizzlies are inching closer to getting Ty Jerome back in uniform - and it couldn’t come at a better time for a team looking to stabilize its backcourt.
Head coach Tuomas Iisalo confirmed that Jerome has progressed to full five-on-five work and could return within the next one to two weeks. Conditioning and ramping up his workload are the final pieces of the puzzle, but the signs are all trending in the right direction.
Jerome joined Memphis on a three-year deal after a breakout campaign in Cleveland, where he carved out a reputation as one of the league’s most efficient bench scorers. He averaged 12.5 points and 3.4 assists in under 20 minutes per game - good enough to finish third in Sixth Man of the Year voting. That kind of production in limited minutes is rare, and Memphis is banking on him bringing that same spark.
Once he’s fully cleared, Jerome’s scoring and playmaking should provide a much-needed boost, especially with the Grizzlies still working through injuries and lineup changes. His return won’t just be about minutes - it’s about impact.
Bennedict Mathurin: Pacers Could Be Getting a Scoring Jolt Soon
Over in Indiana, Bennedict Mathurin is inching closer to a return - and the Pacers’ offense is ready for the lift.
Mathurin is officially listed as questionable for the team’s upcoming matchup against Atlanta. And if history is any guide, when Indiana upgrades a player to that designation, a return often follows not long after.
He’s missed 11 straight games with a sprained right thumb - an injury he initially tried to play through before stepping away to let it heal. This is actually his second extended absence of the season, following a toe injury earlier in the year.
When healthy, Mathurin has been one of Indiana’s most consistent scoring threats. He’s averaging 17.8 points per game, trailing only Pascal Siakam and just ahead of Andrew Nembhard. That kind of production, especially from a young wing, is hard to replace - and the Pacers have felt his absence.
If he’s able to return soon, it could be a major boost for a Pacers team looking to solidify its playoff positioning. Mathurin brings scoring, spacing, and a physical edge that makes Indiana’s offense that much more dynamic.
Bottom Line
Injuries are part of the grind, but how players and teams respond is where the story lies. Cade Cunningham is gutting it out for a rebuilding Pistons squad, Ty Jerome is close to bringing firepower back to Memphis, and Bennedict Mathurin could be the jolt Indiana needs to keep pace in the East.
Three players. Three very different situations. But all three could have a major say in how their teams finish the season.