There is also the looming concern of timeline. While the team has offered no indication that Cunningham’s injury is long-term, any wrist issue raises questions about shooting comfort and ball control once he returns. Detroit will be careful—not just because Cade is their present, but because he is undeniably their future.
Still, games don’t pause for ideal circumstances. Tipoff is coming, and the Pistons must answer with effort, discipline, and belief. This is where growth reveals itself—not when everything aligns, but when it doesn’t. Young teams are defined by how they respond to adversity, especially when leadership is temporarily removed from the equation.
Cade Cunningham’s absence changes everything—but it also offers the Pistons a chance to prove that their progress isn’t dependent on one name alone. With momentum on the line and adversity front and center, Detroit’s response may reveal just as much as any game Cade plays.
