Will the Detroit Pistons’ top two point guards be available against an ascendant Minnesota Timberwolves club Sunday?
Former 2021 No. 1 overall draft pick Cade Cunningham has absolutely blossomed during his fourth pro season with Detroit, his first as an All-Star.
Cunningham’s well-traveled backup, veteran Dennis Schroder, is a critical point-of-attack defender and half-court scorer — one of the best reserves in the league. Schroder is thriving in his first year with Detroit, and will hit unrestricted free agency this summer with a headwind of positive vibes.
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Schroder was acquired by Detroit as part of the five-team mega-deal that saw six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler get shipped out from the Miami Heat to the Golden State Warriors.
Read More: Pistons Acquiring Dennis Schroder as Part of Massive Jimmy Butler Trade
According to Natalie Kerwin of FanDuel Sports Network Detroit, Schroder was considered probable to play through a right quad contusion. Cunningham, meanwhile, was doubtful to suit up through a left calf contusion.
Starting power forward Tobias Harris was considered probable to play for the Pistons.
Dennis Schröder is listed on tonight’s injury report as probable (right quad contusion). Cade Cunningham still doubtful (left calf) and Tobias Harris is probable (right achilles).#DetroitBasketball
— Natalie Kerwin (@NatalieKerwin1) March 30, 2025
Sadly, Detroit has a far bigger long-term health issue to worry about, as it looks to return to the playoffs for the first time in years.
Earlier this month, starting Pistons shooting guard Jaden Ivey was ruled out for the rest of the regular season as he recuperates from a broken fibula.
Read More: Pistons Star Ruled Out for Rest of Season Ahead of Playoff Push
First-year Detroit head coach J.B. Bickerstaff spoke with reporters earlier this week about Cunningham’s long-term health, per Coty M. Davis of The Detroit News.
“His health is the most important thing…When he is healthy, he will be out on the floor for us.”
Bickerstaff speaks on Cade Cunningham, who is listed as day-to-day due to a left calf contusion. #Pistons pic.twitter.com/ciI9gBSlDG
— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) March 28, 2025
“His health is the most important thing, and if Cade is able to play, he plays. So this isn’t something that we’re playing calculus with. This is us just making sure that Cade is healthy. When he’s healthy, he’ll be out on the floor for us. I’m not a doctor, so I can’t speak on it like that — with my levels of concern or whatever. Our concern is always our guys’ health first.”
Now, the final statuses of both Schroder, Harris Cunningham have been revealed, per Eric Vincent of ClutchPoints.
#Pistons starters vs Timberwolves tonight:
Dennis Schroder
Tim Hardaway Jr.
Ausar Thompson
Tobias Harris
Jalen Duren— Eric Vincent (@IAmEricVincent) March 30, 2025
Cunningham will sit out after all, while Schroder and Harris will be available.
At 42-32 on the year, Detroit is just one game behind the No. 4-seeded Indiana Pacers in the hunt for homecourt advantage during the first round of next month’s playoffs.
Because the 42-32 Timberwolves play in the very talented West, however, they’re only the No. 8 seed — but are just 0.5 games behind the No. 6-seeded L.A. Clippers for an opportunity to skip the play-in tournament.
Even if Cunningham doesn’t play against Minnesota or any of the Pistons’ other seven final regular-season adversaries, his accomplishments this year feel secure.
In 66 games with Detroit, the 6-foot-6 Oklahoma State product is averaging 25.7 points on .462/.354/.858 shooting splits, 9.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds a night. Those are All-NBA numbers — and even if Cunningham doesn’t play another regular-season game, it seems likely he’ll earn a slot on one of the league’s three All-NBA teams this year.
Schroder has started in Cunningham’s stead for the past three games, all wins.
Across 21 games for Detroit so far (three starts), Schroder is averaging 10.7 points on .390/.316/.849 shooting splits, 5.1 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 0.6 steals a night.
More Detroit Pistons News:
Pistons’ Cade Cunningham Open to Making WWE Debut
Full Trade Details on Wild 5-Team Blockbuster Sending Jimmy Butler to Warriors
Cade Cunningham Finally Agrees to Lucrative Contract Extension with Pistons
Pistons Owner Finalizing Deal to Purchase Sizeable Stake of Los Angeles Chargers
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