The Detroit Pistons may see the return of a few players who were out with injuries but they may not have the services of Cade Cunningham for Tuesday’s game against the Miami Heat.
On the injury report released in the afternoon ahead of the evening’s matchup, the team listed Cunningham as questionable with a non-COVID illness. There is still a chance that Cunningham plays Tuesday night’s game and the team could consider him a game-time decision.
During his pregame media availability, Pistons head coach Dwane Casey said Cunningham will not play.
Pistons second-year guard Killian Hayes (Right Adductor; Contusion) and veteran guard Rodney McGruder (Left Hamstring; Strain) are both probable to return to action on Tuesday night. That would give the Pistons some much-needed depth at guard, should Cunningham miss action.
Both Hayes and McGruder have missed the last two games and will look to give the Pistons a boost.
Should Cunningham miss Tuesday’s game, Hayes would likely start beside veteran guard Cory Joseph. This could be Hayes’ first stint with the first unit since Jan. 18. Detroit moved the second-year guard to the second unit as they eased him back from soreness in his left tibia.
Hayes has found a rhythm leading the second unit and it has earned several minutes closing out games. He’s a bit more efficient with his shot selection and he has been able to create more opportunities for his teammates. He averages 5.1 assists per game, some of which have come in clutch moments in Detroit’s game.
McGruder has been a spark plug for the Pistons, knocking down clutch three-pointers. Since he returned to the Pistons after they voided the trade that would have sent him to the Denver Nuggets, McGruder has made 46.8 percent of his triples on 3.2 attempts per game.
Detroit will also get some help in the frontcourt with Stewart likely returning. He left in the second quarter of last Monday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks with a knee injury, which was later revealed to be a bone bruise.
The team listed Hamidou Diallo (Left Finger; Sprain) and Frank Jackson (Bilateral Lumbar Spine; Spasm) as out.
Both Luka Garza and Saben Lee have been assigned to the Motor City Cruise, so the two will likely be unavailable for the evening.
The Heat will be at nearly full strength and have listed Caleb Martin (Left Knee; Hyperextended) as out. It assigned Kyle Guy and Javonte Smart to their G League affiliate.
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