Don’t expect to see Cade Cunningham playing for the Detroit Pistons during their first road trip of the season.
Cunningham — who on Tuesday was ruled out for Wednesday night’s season opener vs. Chicago — suffered what the Pistons called a “minor ankle sprain” early in training camp nearly three weeks, and has not returned to 100% participation since. He missed all four preseason games.
Pistons general manager Troy Weaver on Wednesday morning provided insight on the No. 1 pick’s return to play timeline.
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“He’s pretty much day to day, but we need to ramp him up and get some conditioning going and get him acclimated to going full speed at five-on-five,” Weaver said on the “Stoney & Jansen Show” on WXYT-FM 97.1 The Ticket. “Hopefully we’ll get him back sooner than later, but I would anticipate hopefully seeing him when we get back off the road.”
This would put Cunningham on track to debut Oct. 30 at home vs. the Orlando Magic, making for an even bigger day in the state, after a noon showdown between Michigan and Michigan State football.
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The Pistons open a difficult early season schedule with the opener against a revamped Bulls team, then go on the road for games at Chicago (Saturday), Atlanta (Monday) and Philadelphia (Oct. 28).
After Orlando, the Pistons visit Brooklyn the next night, then host Milwaukee, Philadelphia and Brooklyn — the top three teams from the Eastern Conference last season.
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