With Cade Cunningham sidelined by a collapsed lung, the Detroit Pistons plan to run more of their offense through All-Star center Jalen Duren until their star guard returns.
Credit: AP/Scanpix nuotr.
Cade Cunningham is expected to miss several weeks with a mild collapsed lung, though the Detroit Pistons remain cautiously optimistic that he could return in time for the playoffs.
Cade Cunningham
Cade Cunningham
Cade Cunningham
MIN: 34.36
PTS: 24.54 (54.89%)
REB: 5.57
AS: 9.89
ST: 1.48
BL: 0.85
TO: 3.7
GM: 61
Head coach J. B. Bickerstaff, meanwhile, said Detroit will lean more heavily on All-Star center Jalen Duren while Cunningham is sidelined.
"That's what it's going to be," Bickerstaff said. "The ball is going to be in his hands a ton, and he has the ability. It's been great to see his growth overall as a connector. … He's a guy we'll play through."
Duren delivered a strong performance against the tanking Washington Wizards on Thursday, finishing with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and two steals in just 25 minutes during a 22-point victory.
Interestingly, the Pistons have posted a slightly better win percentage without Cunningham this season (75%) than with him (72.1%).
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The former No. 1 overall pick has still been instrumental in Detroit's success, leading the team to the top seed in the Eastern Conference with a 50-19 record.
Cunningham is also enjoying a stellar season, averaging 24.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and a career-best 9.9 assists per game.
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