Detroit Pistons rookie Cade Cunningham was ruled out of playing Thursday on the road against the Orlando Magic due to a non-COVID 19 illness, the team announced.
Pistons head coach Dwane Casey said prior to the game that Cunningham would be a game-time decision and was still congested. Cunningham started to feel sick on Monday night and was held out of playing on Tuesday in a loss to the Miami Heat.
The No. 1 pick is in the midst of his best stretch of the season. He has scored at least 20 points in seven consecutive games, tying the franchise record for the longest streak by a rookie. He is averaging 23.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 6.4 assists during that span.
Casey can see the progress Cunningham has made this season.
The thing with Cade, I always say: He has an ‘it’ factor. He could play like crap the entire game and then in the fourth quarter, he steps up and produces and loves the moment. He is one of those rare guys that really performs well when the moment is tight. He is getting a better feel. I was just watching our game (versus the Magic) in January and (saw) how much he has taken a step forward so that is good to see.
The contest on Thursday was the 16th of the season Cunningham has missed due to various injury or illness. He was sidelined for five games at the beginning of the season with a right ankle sprain and also missed time for the health and safety protocol and a hip pointer.
The Pistons wrap up their three-game road trip Saturday in Cleveland so it is possible that Cunningham is ready to go in that contest. The team has often been cautious with injuries this season so Cunningham will likely be a game-time decision once again.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
[lawrence-related id=73563,73381,73229]
[listicle id=73403]