Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons are leading the way in the Eastern Conference as we enter crunch time of the NBA regular season.
Cunningham gave his honest assessment on the battle at the top and the potential impact Jayson Tatum could have on second-placed Boston before the end of the season.
Cade Cunningham’s Honest Tatum Thoughts
Speaking at the All-Star media day, Cunningham said, “He’s a Hall of Fame type player, so he’s going to definitely help them a lot.”
“But you know, we’re just going to run our race. We like where we’re at, and we’re going to continue to try to finish our season strong.”
The Pistons have enjoyed a breakout year this campaign, bringing an electric offense and hardened defence to a city that thrives on physicality and toughness.
As we move beyond the All-Star break, the Pistons sit at the top of the East, winning 40 games and losing 13 for the year.
Detroit is led by two All-Stars, Cunningham and Jalen Duren, who have the attributes and mentality to lead the team into the playoffs.
Cunningham has averaged 25.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 9.6 assists this season, while Duren has averaged 17.7 points and 10.4 rebounds per game.
The Pistons have cruised atop the East unchallenged this campaign, with Boston five wins behind them in second place.
However, a potential return of Tatum before the end of the year would substantially strengthen the Celtics as we head towards the postseason.
Tatum ruptured his Achilles tendon against the New York Knicks during last season’s playoffs in May and was expected to miss the whole of this season.
The 2024 NBA champion has made significant progress from his injury and practised with the Celtics’ G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics, on Feb. 9.
This season was expected to be a down year for the Celtics as Tatum recovered and the younger pieces took on more responsibility and game time.
However, with Jaylen Brown having an MVP-caliber year and Celtics role players stepping up considerably, Tatum will want to be back to help the Celtics in the postseason.
Although it will take him a few games to get up to speed, an 80% healthy Jayson Tatum will surely make the Celtics one of the favourites to come out of the East.
Before his injury last year, Tatum averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and six assists in the regular season and 28.1 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in the 2025 playoffs.
Cunningham knows the Pistons have a battle on their hands if Tatum returns, making this season’s East one of the most exciting prospects in years.
