Cade Cunningham will reportedly miss Wednesday’s season opener against the Chicago Bulls due to a lingering ankle injury. The No.1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft did not play in any of the preseason games after spraining his ankle early in training camp.
Pistons’ coach Dwane Casey stated that the team would not rush Cunningham’s recovery and that he will participate in a few practices before he is cleared in-game action.
“We don’t know yet,” Pistons coach Dwane Casey said via The Detroit News. “He went through some practice, but we’ll see. We’re not going to put a timetable on it — when he’s ready to roll, he’s going to be ready to roll.”
Cunningham was spotted putting up jumpers this week during practice.
#Pistons Cade Cunningham is shooting after practice… No visible ankle wrap. Could be something…could be nothing. pic.twitter.com/5JwRFjv6yC
— Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) October 18, 2021
With that, Casey has said that Cunningham has remained engaged in film sessions and practice.
“He is working, getting his work in,” he said per Yahoo! Sports. “His attitude has been great in film sessions, teaching and talking to him on the sidelines as the practice goes on in film sessions or whatever. He has been a student of the game but I’ll say this, there is nothing like being out there and going through it to get ready for an NBA season, especially for a rookie.”
Detroit’s options to replace Cunningham include Frank Jackson and Josh Jackson in the backcourt with Killian Hayes.
