The Detroit Pistons will clinch the first seed in the Eastern Conference with a win in their upcoming game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, April 4.
Detroit previously had the chance to clinch the top seed in the East for the playoffs on Friday, but after the Boston Celtics had a dominant win, they will instead have to wait to seal their own fate for the postseason.
The Pistons have been atop the East standings for most of the year, and while they already clinched a playoff appearance and division title, they are one step away from holding the top seed in the postseason for the first time in 19 years.
While Detroit can grab a firm hold on the top seed on Saturday, the key game against the 76ers comes amid a loaded injury report, one that notably still features franchise star Cade Cunningham.
Cade Cunningham Injury Update
GettyThe NBPA is calling for the 65-game eligibility rule to be ‘abolished or reformed’ after the injury to Detroit Pistons superstar Cade Cunningham.
Cunningham has been out for a few weeks after suffering a collapsed lung in March. It was recently reported that he expects to sit out a little while longer, and with that, the star is now ineligible for NBA end-of-season awards, as he won’t hit the 65-game mark to qualify.
“The Pistons said Cunningham is working to return to the court, is being supervised by doctors and Detroit’s medical and performance staff and will be reevaluated in one week,” Jamal Collier of ESPN wrote on Cunningham and the injury. “He has been sidelined since March 19, but he has rejoined the team in street clothes recently, sitting on the bench for its two most recent home games this week for the first time since the injury.”
While there were previously concerns about Cunningham’s status for the playoffs regarding a potential return date, recent injury updates signal that he will be back on the court soon.
However, that doesn’t mean he’ll qualify for an All-NBA team, the MVP award, or any end-of-season awards for that matter, as with just 61 games under his belt, based on the new re-evaluation news, the Pistons don’t have enough games in their schedule to help Cunningham hit the 65-game mark.
“I understand the intent of the rule, but a guy like Cade shouldn’t be punished for having a major injury late in the season,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said, per Hunter Patterson of The Athletic. “First team All-NBA, MVP, all those things — it’s meaningful. Whether it’s now or 10 years from now, when you look back, it has meaning and value to guys.”
Cunningham is averaging 24.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 9.9 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.9 blocks on 46.1% shooting from the field this season.
Detroit Pistons Injury Report vs. Philadelphia 76ers
GettyIsaiah Stewart of the Detroit Pistons react after a basket with Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren.
Along with Cunningham, who is expected to be out at least a few more games, Detroit has a few key players listed on the injury report in the lead-up to the game against the 76ers.
First of which is Isaiah Stewart, who is ruled out with a calf strain. The injury has sidelined the enforcer for three weeks, and the 24-year-old does not have a direct timeline for a return. He is averaging ten points and 5.1 rebounds on 54.1% shooting in 55 games this year.
The Pistons also have Tobias Harris listed as questionable with a knee injury. Harris has been a big part of Detroit’s success this season, but as for the game against Philadelphia over the weekend, his status is still in question.
Marcus Sasser is probable with a hip strain, but he has been a consistent name on the team’s injury report over the past few games.
As for the 76ers, a team further down the standings in the East compared to the Pistons, they have Paul George and Joel Embiid listed as day-to-day, both of whom are slowly recovering from long-term absences. Embiid has been feuding recently with the team over his injury status, but for now, the official verdict on him and George playing is still uncertain.
The Pistons are 56-21 and first in the East. While they already clinched the playoffs much earlier in the year, With a win over the Sixers, they will clinch the top seed in the playoffs for the first time in 19 years, meaning they could lose the final four games of the regular season and still sit above the Celtics, New York Knicks, and everyone else in the conference for the number one seed.
The game on Saturday remains a key matchup for the young Detroit team, who have been one of the biggest surprises of the NBA season, as they will continue lean on Jalen Duren and Daniss Jenkins while Cunningham remains out.
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