Cunningham to undergo season-ending shin surgery

Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham will undergo season-ending surgery on his left shin, general manager Troy Weaver announced Tuesday.

Cunningham is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the Pistons' training camp next summer.

"We expect him to come back and be even better," Weaver said, per team writer Keith Langlois. "He's been dealing with the issue a little bit off and on for a while. We want him to be healthy and be himself.

"He's a young player. We don't want this to linger two or three years. It's early in his career. We want to get it settled. We expect him to recover well and be the best version of himself."

The 2021 No. 1 pick hasn't played since Nov. 9. Cunningham reportedly hoped to remedy the issue with rest and rehab, but he and the Pistons both opted for surgery. Detroit reportedly feared in mid-November that he'd suffered a stress fracture.

In 12 games this season, the former Oklahoma State standout averaged 19.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and six assists while playing 33.3 minutes per contest.

After an up-and-down start to his career in an injury-plagued 2021-22 campaign, Cunningham eventually forced his way into the Rookie of the Year conversation by averaging 20.3 points, 6.1 assists, 5.7 rebounds, and one steal in his final 23 games. He finished third in voting behind Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley and eventual winner Scottie Barnes.