Cade Cunningham Returns With Playoff Fire After Injury Setback
So let’s talk about it—Cade Cunningham is back, and Pistons fans have every reason to be hyped. After a six-game absence due to a nagging calf injury and a bout of illness, Cunningham made his return Saturday night against the Memphis Grizzlies. And even though the Pistons didn’t come out with a win, what we saw from Cade was enough to get everyone excited about what's coming next: the playoffs.
He played just under 30 minutes, which was by design—Coach J.B. Bickerstaff wanted to ease him back into game shape without overdoing it. Cade still managed to drop 25 points, snag 8 rebounds, and dish out 3 assists. Yeah, he was a little rusty, shooting 9-of-24 from the field, but the energy? The leadership? It was all there. You could feel the difference the moment he stepped on the floor.
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Cade explained after the game that it wasn’t just a simple injury—he got hit in the left calf during a game against Dallas, which caused his right calf to tighten up too. And on top of that, he got sick. It was a rough patch, but he gave credit to the Pistons’ training staff for getting him right. “I feel great now,” he said. “This was a good game to shake off the rust and get ready for the playoffs.”
What’s really special here is not just Cade’s comeback, but the growth he’s shown this season. He’s played the most games of his career—67 so far—and put in more minutes than ever. And if things go as expected, he’s likely to land on one of the All-NBA teams, which would not only be a huge personal milestone but would also trigger a massive supermax contract worth about $270 million over five years. That’s the kind of season he’s having.
The Pistons went 4-2 without him, locking in a top-six seed for the first time since 2008. That alone says a lot about the team's progress and resilience. Cade’s absence showed how ready his teammates were to step up, and his return? It’s like the final piece of the puzzle clicking into place.
Cade knows the road ahead isn’t easy, but you can hear it in his voice—he’s ready. “Just trying to make sure we’re all ready mentally and physically,” he said. “Put our best foot forward.” That’s a leader talking. And for the first time in a long time, the Pistons are heading into the postseason with real belief.
With just four games left in the regular season, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Cade rest one of them, especially with a full week off before the playoffs start on April 19. But one thing’s clear: he’s locked in, healthy, and ready to make a statement. And honestly? So are we.
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