The Detroit Pistons are just nine days away from their first regular-season game of the 2021-22 season and their No. 1 overall draft pick Cade Cunningham is yet to play in a preseason game.
On Monday, Pistons head coach Dwane Casey spoke to reporters and he said that the plan is that Cunningham is able to be a full-for 3 or 4 practices before playing in a game.
As noted by Rod Beard of the Detroit News, this means Cunningham could miss the remainder of the Pistons preseason.
From Detroit News:
It’s not exactly rocket science, because almost any team would miss having an additional playmaker and high-level 3-point shooter in the starting lineup. His ankle injury doesn’t appear to be serious, but the medical staff seems to be taking a cautious approach, not wanting to rush him back — especially at the start of the preseason — and jeopardize his availability for any part of the regular season. Casey said last week that the plan with the medical staff is to have Cunningham play at full strength in three or four practices before he plays in a game. With preseason games Monday, Wednesday and Friday this week, time is running short on Cunningham playing before the start of the regular season.
Casey said that Cunningham has watched all the practices and that the rookie's basketball IQ would help him pick things up quickly. https://t.co/rik6qUlmb2
— Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) October 11, 2021