*Update: Cade Cunningham will be re-evaluated in 7-10 days.
Just when you thought this season couldn't get any worse for the Detroit Pistons, Cade Cunningham got injured and the team found new depths to sink into.
Cunningham has been one of the only reasons to watch the Pistons other than the circus-like spectacle of their historic losing streak, which held appeal for those who like to rubberneck at trainwrecks.
But Detroit did get some good news, as apparently, Cade Cunningham has avoided any serious injury to his knee.
Pistons believe star guard Cade Cunningham has avoided any serious injury to his left knee, sources tell me and @JLEdwardsIII. Sigh of relief for Detroit. Cunningham could miss at least a few games. pic.twitter.com/Cs8Xcs0yYl
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 8, 2024
Pardon me if this announcement doesn't necessarily put me at ease.
I've been a fan of the Pistons long enough to know that when the team says they "believe" an injury is not serious, that doesn't necessarily mean it's not.
I don't want to be a cynic but the Pistons have had a whole lot of "minor" injuries turned into months on the bench in street clothes, just ask Bojan Bogdanovic.
So I'll save my belief for when I see Cade Cunningham back on the floor again, which will not be tonight against the Sacramento Kings.
Detroit Pistons injuries vs. Sacramento Kings
The Pistons will be missing Cade Cunningham, Isaiah Stewart and Monte Morris vs. the Kings tonight at Little Caesar's Arena.
The Pistons' defense has been even worse with Stewart out and now we can expect the offense to take a similar dip with the team's leading scorer and playmaker on the bench.
Given the season is already over, this is the time to lean into the youth and get some big minutes out of Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson and Marcus Sasser, though in reality, we will probably just see more Isaiah Livers, Killian Hayes and James Wiseman, since it's important to develop players on a 3-win team who won't be on the roster next season.
The Kings have former Piston Trey Lyles listed as probable but otherwise should have their full roster tonight as the Pistons try to avoid losing their 5th game in a row after already breaking the NBA single-season record for consecutive losses.