No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham making history with shooting struggles

Pistons rookie Cade Cunningham is struggling offensively to commencement the season.

The No. 1 prime successful the 2021 NBA Draft is shooting 7-39 (17.9%) from the tract successful the 3 games helium has played this season, marking the worst tract extremity percentage for a subordinate with astatine slightest 30 attempts since the NBA/ABA merger successful 1976.

Cunningham has peculiarly struggled from beyond the arc. He went 1-for-7 from 3 constituent scope successful Thursday’s 109-98 nonaccomplishment to the Sixers. He’s gone conscionable 1-for-21 to commencement his NBA career.

Pistons caput manager Dwane Casey didn’t look disquieted aft the young star’s show against Philadelphia.

“His changeable is going to fall. It’s a substance of clip earlier helium gets his bushed with the 3-point shot,” Casey said after the loss.

Despite his shooting woes, Cunningham recorded a productive container people with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. He was 9-for-10 from the escaped propulsion line.

As Cunningham continues to set to the gait of the NBA, helium made Pistons past arsenic the archetypal Detroit rookie since Grant Hill to grounds a double-double successful 3 games oregon fewer. Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas is the lone different Piston to execute the feat since 1981.

Cade Cunningham connected the tribunal with the PistonsGetty Images

Cunningham is besides caller disconnected an ankle wounded that caused him to miss grooming camp. He was injured during a Pistons signifier up of the play and missed 4 of the team’s archetypal 5 games.

“I consciousness similar I’m beauteous bully with the shot successful my hands. I haven’t been businesslike with my archetypal 3 games, but I’m getting much comfortable,” Cunningham said. “I didn’t person a grooming camp. The squad is encouraging maine to beryllium me. I’m going to proceed doing that until they fall.”  

The Pistons are counting connected Cunningham, a 6-foot-8 defender retired of Oklahoma State, to assistance Detroit go a playoff contender. The squad has made it to the playoffs conscionable doubly since 2009.