Getty
DALLAS, TEXAS – DECEMBER 18: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons looks on during the second half of a game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on December 18, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gunnar Word/Getty Images)
The Detroit Pistons will be without their franchise star Saturday night after the team officially ruled out Cade Cunningham with a left quad contusion for their matchup against the Brooklyn Nets.
Cunningham was initially listed as questionable entering the day, but Detroit ultimately decided to hold the All-Star guard out for the first leg of a back-to-back set as the team manages his injury.
With Cunningham sidelined, the Pistons will likely turn to Daniss Jenkins as the starting point guard. Detroit could also adjust its lineup with Caris LeVert, Kevin Huerter, or Javonte Green entering the starting five.
The absence comes at a notable moment for the Pistons, who continue to push toward the postseason as the top team in the Eastern Conference standings.
Cade Cunningham Battled Tough Defense in Detroit Loss
Cunningham’s injury came after a difficult shooting night in Detroit’s 121–106 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
The Pistons’ star guard scored 26 points on 10-of-26 shooting in 39 minutes while also recording eight assists and four turnovers.
Detroit head coach J.B. Bickerstaff credited San Antonio’s defensive pressure for making life difficult on Cunningham throughout the game.
“They’re a good defensive team,” Bickerstaff said after the loss. “They got a lot of guys who can get up in you, put pressure on you and trust the fact that they’ve got that big behind them to protect. Of course, there are things we can do better. I always take responsibility for that — it’s my responsibility to help create space and opportunities for them. We’ll watch the film, continue to work at it and get better from it.”
Cunningham was frequently hounded by a rotation of defenders, including last season’s Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle and rookie Carter Bryant.
Pistons Star Endures Rare Shooting Struggles
Saturday’s absence also follows two straight inefficient scoring performances from Cunningham.
Two nights before facing San Antonio, he made just 4 of 16 shots during a 113–109 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Those games came against strong playoff-caliber opponents, highlighting the defensive attention Cunningham draws as the centerpiece of Detroit’s offense.
Despite the recent struggles, the 6-foot-6 guard continues to post elite numbers this season and remains the engine behind the Pistons’ surprising rise in the standings.
Cade Cunningham Emerging as MVP Candidate
Even with the recent shooting slump, Cunningham has positioned himself firmly in the NBA MVP race.
As of March 7, odds from DraftKings listed Cunningham with the third-shortest odds to win MVP at +1200, trailing only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokić.
Cunningham currently leads the Eastern Conference in assists at 9.8 per game, and is No. 2 overall in the league behind Jokić’s 10.3, highlighting his role as Detroit’s primary playmaker and offensive organizer.
Defensively, he has also been impactful, ranking third in the NBA in lowest opposing field goal percentage at .426.
The former No. 1 overall pick has already captured Eastern Conference Player of the Month honors twice this season, underscoring his consistency during Detroit’s breakthrough campaign.
If Cunningham ultimately wins the award, he would become the first player in Pistons franchise history to capture the regular-season MVP trophy, officially known as the Michael Jordan Trophy.
Detroit Surpassing Expectations in Breakout Season
Detroit’s rise to the top of the Eastern Conference has been one of the biggest surprises of the NBA season.
Entering the year, ESPN projected the Pistons to win around 42.6 games.
Yet by early March, Detroit had already surpassed that with 45 victories, establishing itself as a legitimate championship contender.
The Pistons’ upcoming matchup against the rebuilding Nets offers an opportunity to rebound from consecutive losses — even without Cunningham.
However, Detroit’s long-term ceiling in the playoffs will likely remain tied to the health and performance of its franchise guard.
For now, the Pistons will take a cautious approach with Cunningham’s quad injury, prioritizing his availability for the stretch run of what has already become a historic season in Detroit.
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
More Heavy on Pistons
Loading more stories