Pistons' Cade Cunningham returns to lineup against Bucks

The young star is back on the court after an extended injury absence.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 1:10am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game between the Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks, with the players' forms broken down into abstract shapes and the ball and court lines creating a sense of dynamic movement.Cade Cunningham's return to the Pistons lineup injects new energy into their matchup with the Bucks.Today in Detroit

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham is set to make his return to the lineup on Wednesday night when the team takes on the Milwaukee Bucks. Cunningham, the former No. 1 overall draft pick, has been sidelined for several weeks due to an injury.

Why it matters

Cunningham's return is a major boost for the struggling Pistons, who have been without their young franchise cornerstone. His presence on the court will provide an immediate lift to the team's offense and defense as they look to compete against one of the Eastern Conference's top teams in the Bucks.

The details

Cunningham, 22, was the first overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and has emerged as one of the league's most promising young players. He has been out of action since early March due to a lower body injury, but has been ramping up his rehab and is now ready to rejoin the Pistons' starting lineup.

  • Cunningham is set to return on Wednesday, April 9, 2026 when the Pistons host the Bucks.
  • He has been sidelined since early March with a lower body injury.

The players

Cade Cunningham

The 22-year-old guard was the first overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and has become one of the league's rising young stars with the Detroit Pistons.

Milwaukee Bucks

One of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, the Bucks will be the opponent when Cunningham makes his return to the Pistons' lineup.

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What’s next

With Cunningham back, the Pistons will look to build momentum and make a push for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference over the final weeks of the regular season.

The takeaway

Cade Cunningham's return is a major boost for the Pistons as they look to compete with one of the NBA's elite teams in the Bucks. His presence on the court will provide an immediate lift to Detroit's offense and defense as they try to make a late-season playoff push.