Detroit Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff addressed Cade Cunningham’s wrist status Sunday night after a 139-116 win over the Sacramento Kings at Little Caesars Arena.
The Pistons bounced back from a Friday loss by delivering one of their most complete offensive performances of the season, improving to an Eastern Conference-best 33-11.
“I thought the guys came out and took care of business,” Bickerstaff said. “They did the things that we knew were going to lead to success for us.”
Detroit scored 43 points in the second quarter after a sluggish start, turning a 35-35 tie into a decisive advantage.
“Our tempo was great. I thought our ball movement was great,” Bickerstaff said. “The more and more we did the right thing, they created baskets for one another.”
Cunningham finished with 29 points and 11 assists, showing improved comfort after dealing with a lingering wrist issue.
“Yeah, he looked like it felt better,” Bickerstaff said. “It’s just one of those things that’s day-to-day how it responds.”
The Pistons coach said the team continues to monitor Cunningham closely despite the strong outing.
“He definitely looked like he was feeling better out there,” Bickerstaff added.
Detroit also used multiple ball handlers to relieve pressure on its star guard, including extended minutes with Cunningham playing off the ball.
“You can put Cade off the ball and put him in some screening action,” Bickerstaff said. “So now defenses have to find him a different way.”
Bickerstaff highlighted how that approach helped Cunningham avoid constant defensive attention.
“He can get lost kind of in the shuffle and create something versus a shifted defense,” he said.
The Pistons shot 55 percent from the field and 52 percent from three-point range, overwhelming a Sacramento team that has now lost five straight games.
“When we move the basketball and play with great tempo, that’s when we’re at our best,” Bickerstaff said. “Everybody contributed.”
Detroit’s depth stood out, with contributions from Jalen Duren, Tobias Harris, and multiple bench players.
“That’s when we can go deep into our bench,” Bickerstaff said. “Everybody contributes.”
Despite the dominant performance, Bickerstaff said the team remains focused on improvement.
“I think we’re in a good place,” he said. “But you watch the film and you see so many little things that impact winning that we can get better at.”
Bickerstaff praised the group’s coachability and mindset.
“They love to be coached,” he said. “They know they want to continue to get better.”
The Pistons will carry momentum into a road matchup at Denver on Tuesday, with Cunningham’s wrist status expected to remain a day-to-day evaluation.
“It’s fun for us as coaches,” Bickerstaff said. “Our guys’ willingness to work at it is what makes this thing go.”
