Cade

Cunningham

Cunningham exited just before overtime during Thursday’s loss to Charlotte, and now he’ll remain out for at least one more game. Wendell Moore Jr. replaced him in overtime, but it’s unclear if J.B. Bickerstaff will turn to him to start in his place. Jaden Ivey should take over playmaking duties, though there will be plenty of extra minutes to go around. Ausar Thompson could make his season debut, which would help make up for Cunningham’s absence.

Cade was able to put up his typical big numbers, though it did come on a poor shooting night. However, the bigger story here was that he was forced to exit this game just before overtime because of a left hip injury. Cunningham hasn’t missed a game yet this season and has been averaging multiple career-highs. It’s unclear if this is an injury that will keep him sidelined for Saturday’s game in Orlando, but with a four-game week coming up, Cade’s availability is a big factor. Wendell Moore Jr. replaced him in the closing lineup during overtime, and while he would have some streaming appeal if Cunningham is sidelined, Jaden Ivey would also receive a nice boost.

Win or lose, Cunningham continues to put together strong performances. He recorded his fourth straight double-double in this game and has scored at least 20 points in all but three games this season. The Moves that Detroit made this summer have allowed Cade to produce at an elite level, and he is averaging career-highs in points, rebounds, assists, blocks and 3-pointers. Efficiency has still been an issue, but it wasn’t terrible in this game. They have two days off before they head to Charlotte, where Cunningham recorded a triple-double earlier this month.

It was Cunningham’s fourth triple-double of the season. Only Nikola Jokic and LeBron James have more this year. Cunningham even cut his turnovers, which had been a problem, against Wizards as he turned the ball over just twice in 31 minutes. Cade was +18 in the 20-point win. Detroit has three games coming up in Week 5.

It wasn’t Cade’s best night of shooting. He was hardly efficient as he had just 15 points on 21 shots and made only 2-of-9 attempts from behind the 3-point line. Cade had a double-double with 10 assists, but also had four turnovers and made 1-of-2 free throw attempts. He was -10 in 36 minutes in four-point win. Cunningham will continue to see massive usage for the Pistons going forward as they take on the Wizards this Sunday.

Cunningham’s 35 points were a season-high and he was only three rebounds shy of another triple-double. It was an impressive performance on the second night of a back-to-back, though it wasn’t flawless. 35 points on 34 shots is hardly efficient and Cade had six turnovers. He was -4 in 43 minutes in the seven-point overtime loss. Cade was 5-of-10 from behind the 3-point line including multiple 3-point makes to bring the Pistons back from a deficit at the end of regulation. The Pistons have two more games this week with the Raptors on Friday and the Wizards on Sunday.

The Pistons managed to get the win, but it wasn’t easy. Detroit led by nine with less than two minutes left, but couldn’t stop turning the ball over. Cunningham contributed with seven turnovers of his own in the game. In overtime, he assisted Jalen Duren to tie the game with one second left before Miami called a timeout they didn’t have. Malik Beasley then sank both free throws to give the Pistons the win. Cunningham made all seven of his own free throws and was only three rebounds and one assist shy of recording another triple-double. He needs to clean up the turnovers, but it was another solid effort from Cade.

Cunningham was excellent on Sunday, finishing one steal shy of a complete stat line. He’s scored 20 points or more in three straight, and Cade’s cleaned up the shooting in the two games since he shot 9-of-23 in a loss to the Hornets on Wednesday. A better option in 8-cat formats and turnover-punt roster builds, Cunningham is ranked just outside the top 25. The Pistons begin a four-game week with the Heat at home on Tuesday.

It was Cunningham’s third game in a row with a triple-double and fifth triple-double of his career. Cunningham scored with eight seconds left to give the Pistons a one-point lead before blocking an Onyeka Okongwu shot attempt at the buzzer to seal the win for Detroit. He continues to do it all for the Pistons and fantasy managers. Detroit takes on the Rockets this Sunday.

Cunningham’s triple-double was the fourth of his career and first time in his career with consecutive games with a triple-double. The 23-year-old has taken on a huge role with Pistons as his usage remains off the charts. Cunningham wasn’t particularly efficient scoring against the Hornets as he had 20 points on 23 shots and went 0-for-4 from behind the 3-point line. The Pistons have two more games this week as they face the Hawks on Friday and the Rockets on Sunday.