Nov 7, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Ousmane Dieng (13) defends against Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) during the second half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder at Detroit Pistons
Cade Cunningham underwent season-ending surgery on his left shin on Friday, Adrian Wojnarowski reported
Cunningham had season-ending surgery today to “stabilize and promote complete healing of a left tibial stress fracture,” Pistons say. He is expected to be ready for training camp in 2023-24, but nothing less, this is a monumental blow for Detroit.
The 2021 No. 1 overall pick was initially shut down for five games after Nov. 9 for what the team characterized as “shin soreness,” but later tests revealed a stress fracture.
He has averaged 19.9 point with 6.2 rebounds and six assists in 12 appearances this season. Cunningham will turn 22 in September.
“We expect him to come back even better,” general manager Troy Weaver told reporters Tuesday. “He’d been dealing with the issue a little bit, off and on for a while. We want him to be healthy and be himself. He’s a young player, we don’t want this thing to linger two or three years. We want to get it settled. We expect him to recover well and be the best version of himself.”
