Orlando
— The Detroit Pistons faced a challenging situation before Monday’s 123-107 loss to the Orlando Magic, as several players were dealing with injuries. However, there were some positive updates regarding two key players, Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Stewart.
For the first time since their injuries, both Cunningham (pneumothorax) and Stewart (left calf strain) were listed as doubtful. Although they were eventually ruled out, the improvement in their status was a hopeful sign that they are making progress in their recovery.
“Both of them are progressing. They are doing more and more each day,” said coach J.B. Bickerstaff. “With both of these things, it is always about how you respond the next day. I don’t want to jump out there and say anything, but so far, so good. They are taking steps in the right direction.”
With only three games remaining in the regular season, there is still no clear timeline for the return of Cunningham and Stewart. However, Bickerstaff remains optimistic that both players will have the chance to return to the lineup before the postseason begins.
“There is no way to replicate what a game is, other than playing the game,” Bickerstaff said. “You can practice. You can scrimmage. You can play pick-up basketball, but especially when it comes to ramping up to the intensity of the playoffs, it will be very beneficial for the guys and the group to get some time together on the floor.”
The update on Cunningham’s status came five days after the Pistons announced that the All-NBA guard had started his “return to play” process under the supervision of the team’s medical staff. He suffered a collapsed lung during a game against the Washington Wizards on March 17 and has missed the last 11 games.
Before his injury, Cunningham was having an MVP-caliber season. He averaged 24.9 points on 46.1% shooting from the field, along with 10.1 assists, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals. His last game before the injury was a 119-108 loss to the Toronto Raptors on March 15.
Prior to that game, the Pistons announced that Stewart would be sidelined due to a calf strain. He had been playing through the injury in the previous few games.
Like Cunningham, Stewart was having a standout season, averaging 10.0 points and 1.6 blocks over 55 games. His strong defensive performance put him on the verge of earning his first selection to the NBA All-Defensive Team. Both players are ineligible for regular-season awards due to the NBA’s 65-game rule.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Pistons’ Cunningham, Stewart ‘progressing’ from their injuries
