The Detroit Pistons and the rest of Motor City had to wait for some time, but it's certainly worth it. No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham finally made his official NBA debut on Saturday against the Orlando Magic, and in the process banked his first professional basket.
Cunningham didn't have the best start to say the least. He had to wait until the second quarter to finally find the bottom of the net, but he did make the most of it with a clean drive to the rim for a smooth finish.
Cade Cunningham scores his first NBA basket! pic.twitter.com/Wicjey8034
— Palace Pistons (@PalaceOfPistons) October 30, 2021
Cade Cunningham missed the first four games of the 2021-22 season due to a minor ankle injury he sustained during training camp. It cost the prized rookie their whole preseason games, and his recovery extended in the first couple weeks of the campaign as the Pistons remained cautious of his condition.
He didn't join the Pistons in their recent three-game road trip as he focused on his recovery. However, there were already high hopes he could suit up for Saturday's game. Head coach Dwane Casey highlighted recently that they didn't want to rush Cunningham back since he was still feeling sore at some areas when moving.
It will certainly take time for Cunningham to be comfortable with NBA basketball, and it's obvious with the way he played against the Magic. Fortunately for him, he has the time and the Pistons have the patience to let him develop since they are in a rebuilding process.