Detroit Pistons head coach Dwane Casey said the team is still unsure if rookie Cade Cunningham will be able to play in the regular-season opener Wednesday versus the Chicago Bulls.
Cunningham on Monday participated in portions of practice as he continues to recover from a sprained right ankle. Casey previously said Cunningham is on track to play against the Bulls but reiterated the team will not rush him back.
The decision, Casey said, will come from the team medical staff.
We don’t know yet. He went through some practice today but we’ll see. We’re not going to put a timetable on it. When he is ready to roll, he is going to be ready to roll. … I live my life waking up and reading those emails from the medical people letting me know who is available and who is not available.
Cunningham turned his ankle at the beginning of training camp and has been unable to fully participate in practice until this week. He has been seen taking part in some shooting drills as his workload increases during his rehab process, via Rod Beard of the Detroit News.
Moving pictures of #Pistons Cade Cunningham today after practice. pic.twitter.com/zKGycTb93n
— Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) October 19, 2021
Despite the setback, Casey said last week Cunningham is remaining positive and upbeat in film sessions and practice. The team is confident Cunningham will be able to pick up things quickly once he can be cleared to play, something that could happen soon.
The players on the roster have a good handle on what Cunningham brings to the table and are comfortable with him. Pistons forward Jerami Grant said the team will have to get adjusted to him again but knows his return will only help them.
We got a good feel. We know what he brings to the table, his poise, being able to control the game, his ability to shoot. He does a lot of things that’ll help us when he gets back. We’ll still have to get acclimated again when he does get back but he has a lot of positives that’ll definitely help our team.
Cunningham experiencing an injury during his first training camp has likely been very frustrating, but the 20-year-old has handled the situation very well. Certainly, the Pistons and Cunningham can’t wait until he can take the court again.
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