Cade Cunningham returns and makes it clear: Detroit Pistons want the ring

Detroit Pistons' guard, Cade Cunningham, recorded a double-double in his return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks. The player, who had been out since March 19 after suffering a collapsed lung in the victory against the Washington Wizards, finished with 13 points and 10 assists in 26 minutes as the Pistons prevailed 137-111.

"I felt really good on the court," Cunningham said. "I have to thank the medical staff and the coaches because they put me in a great place where I felt comfortable throughout all my minutes."

This season, Cunningham averaged 24.5 points, 9.9 assists, and 5.6 rebounds in 61 games. During his absence, the Pistons achieved a record of 8-3.

"You never want to see what happened to Cade, but we couldn't focus only on the negative," Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff commented. "No one thought they could replace Cade, but everyone decided to be the best version of themselves. That was enough for us to succeed."

Bickerstaff indicated that Cunningham's playing time in Detroit's final two games will depend on how the player feels on Thursday.

During his absence, Cunningham became a central figure in the controversy surrounding the NBA rule that requires playing 65 games to be eligible for season awards. He is considered a strong contender for the All-NBA First Team but will only reach 64 games even if he participates in the remaining two matches.

"I respect what they are trying to do with the rule: fans pay a lot to watch the stars play, not to rest," Bickerstaff commented. "That puts me in a difficult situation, but I know there are discussions about exceptions. I'm not sure how it will work out, so I'll just finish the season and see what happens."

Pistons' Beastly Season

With a record of 57-22, the Pistons secured the top spot in the Eastern Conference and won the Central Division for the first time in 18 years. The team also aims to win their first playoff series since the 2007-08 season.

"Many of our players had significant opportunities to gain confidence and learn new ways to attack, both offensively and defensively," Bickerstaff said. "That's crucial because in the playoffs, you encounter many different situations."

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