Pistons’ Cade Cunningham cleared from health and safety protocol
Detroit Pistons rookie Cade Cunningham has been cleared from the NBA’s health and safety protocol but will not play on Saturday versus the San Antonio Spurs.
Cunningham was placed into the protocol on Dec. 22. He was the first player on the roster to enter the protocol and was among at least eight individuals sidelined because of COVID-19 issues. Cunningham is one of six players set to return this week from the protocol.
Players and coaches entered into the health and safety protocol who are vaccinated can now be cleared to return after six days, compared to the previous 10-day isolation period. Individuals can still be cleared sooner if they return two negative PCR tests at least 24 hours apart.
Cunningham is listed as “out” on the injury report for Saturday due to “return to competition reconditioning” but could return on Monday. Pistons head coach Dwane Casey on Friday said Cunningham was able to work out at the team facility while in the protocol.
They are allowed to come in alone (with) one ball, one basket by themselves (with) no coaching. I think Cade came in last night by himself with one ball, one basket. That is the max they can do until the NBA approves them coming out (of the protocol) so that is kinda where we are right now with those guys.
The No. 1 pick is averaging 15.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.4 steals in 25 games this season. He became the eighth-youngest player to record a triple-double and was the youngest to do so in Pistons franchise history.
The Pistons were forced to sign several players to replace those in the protocol. They have lost three straight since Cunningham first entered the protocol and had just six roster players, plus those replacements, available to play on Wednesday versus the New York Knicks.
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