Detroit Pistons: Update on Cade Cunningham and other Pistons’ injuries

The Detroit Pistons just completed their preseason and the big story ended up being about injuries to Cade Cunningham, Killian Hayes and Saddiq Bey.

Cunningham did not play in the preseason because of an ankle injury, Hayes played in one game before suffering a concussion and Saddiq Bey had to miss the last two.

The Pistons would obviously love to have all three players back for their season opener at home against the Chicago Bulls, but recent updates from Dwane Casey are not 100 percent positive.

Here is where each of these three players stands as of right now.

Detroit Pistons: Will Killian Hayes and Saddiq Bey be in the opening night lineup?

According to Dwane Casey, things are looking good for Hayes, but Bey was still limited in practice:

This is good news for Hayes, who had to miss most of last season with a hip injury and is eager to get off to a good start this year.

Although Bey was only a partial participant in practice, I wouldn’t bet against him, as he was the Pistons’ Iron Man last season and doesn’t seem like a guy who will stay on the bench unless he can’t walk.

I expect both of these players to be in the opening night starting lineup for the Detroit Pistons.

Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham injury update

Unfortunately, the injury update on Cade Cunningham wasn’t as positive or as transparent. The Pistons have been subtly trying to lower expectations for his return. Every positive immediately has a big BUT at the end of it, including coach Casey’s most recent update on Cade Cunningham’s injury:

I would have liked this update a whole lot more had he not added that last sentence, but I also totally understand why he did.

Cade Cunningham has superstar potential and the Pistons are building for the long-term, not for one game or week. Rushing him back would the height of foolishness, so I am not against this approach at all.

If I had to bet, I’d say that Cade Cunningham will miss a game or two so that he can get some work in at full speed before getting back to game action.

The regular season is going to start on Wednesday either way, so let’s hope Cunningham, Hayes and Bey are all 100 percent and ready to go, but I’d prepare for the worst.