Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham will miss the rest of the 2022-23 NBA season after undergoing shin surgery. The former number-one overall pick has been sidelined since November ninth with a shin injury. He consulted with the team, multiple doctors, and his representation at Excel Sports before coming to this difficult decision. Cunningham is expected to be fully recovered before training camp next season. While he tried to find another option, this seems to be the only option for him to be fully recovered. His long-term health is the priority here for both him and the team.
ESPN Sources: Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham – the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft – plans to have season-ending surgery on his left shin. Cunningham is expected to make a full recovery ahead of training camp in 2023-2024. pic.twitter.com/0OyUkDOtK7
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 12, 2022
This season in 12 games with the Detroit Pistons, Cade Cunningham averaged 19.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game. He paired those numbers with a field goal percentage of 41.5 percent and a three-point percentage of 27.9 percent. It appeared the guard was emerging as a star this year for the team, but now that progress has been halted for the rest of the year. He can always come back strong next season.
There is one bright side to this unfortunate injury. Without Cade Cunningham, the team is more likely to lose even more games this season. Landing the number one overall pick this year would land the team a perfect running mate for Cunningham in French prospect Victor Wembanyama. That being said, we here at Def Pen Sports wish Cunningham the best in his recovery and eventual return to the basketball court.
