The Houston Rockets had a long night in Philadelphia on Thursday. The road doesn't get any easier on Friday night, as they are set to take on the Detroit Pistons to close out their back-to-back set.
In a way, the Rockets' night could've gotten slightly easier, depending on the status of the Pistons' star guard, Cade Cunningham.
On Thursday night, the Pistons added Cunningham to the injured list as questionable due to a left hip contusion and an illness. At this point, Cunningham is showing strong signs of playing.
The Pistons Upgrade Cade Cunningham vs Houston
On Friday morning, Cunningham was spotted on the court getting some shots up as the Pistons closed out their shoot-around ahead of the matchup. Typically, availability for shoot-around sessions is a good indicator of a player's status for the upcoming game.
After seeing Cunningham in action in a practice setting, the team felt comfortable enough to upgrade him for the game on Friday. He's officially probable to play against the Rockets.
What Can the Rockets Expect?
The last time the Pistons and the Rockets met was back in October. Seeing as though it was so early in the season, neither team had built any identity yet.
At the time, the Pistons closed out the game with a 115-111 victory. Cunningham accounted for 21 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds. On Houston's side, it was a big scoring night from Durant. He went 9-18 from the field, scoring 37 points.
The Pistons were expected to take a step forward in 2025-2026, but they have established themselves as the top team in the Eastern Conference since facing the Rockets. They hold a 31-10 record, which is a 5.5 lead over the Boston Celtics. That record would be good enough for the third seed in the West, where the Rockets place fourth.
Houston is in a tough spot no matter who plays, considering the way their previous game with the Sixers played out. If all goes as planned for Detroit on the Cade Cunningham front, the Rockets could have their hands full.
Newsweek