When it was announced that Cade Cunningham would miss extended time with a collapsed lung right before the postseason, many wondered how the Detroit Pistons would be able to survive, at least offensively. Already a limited team on that end of the floor, the Pistons could have found it difficult to generate enough points without their MVP candidate running things. None of the backup guards had established themselves as a reliable playmaker in Cunningham's absence, raising alarm bells for the Pistons as we approach the playoffs.
It turns out that the answer the Pistons were looking for all along was Daniss Jenkins. The 24-year-old guard continues to get as many minutes and touches as he can handle in Cunningham's absence. And for the fourth straight game, he has delivered in a big way. Jenkins was Detroit's best player in the win over the Lakers on Monday night, putting up a career-high 30 points on 11/18 shooting from the field in 39 minutes of action. He added four rebounds and eight assists while turning the ball over only twice.
Daniss Jenkins Clinches Rotation Spot for Good With Massive Showing vs. Lakers
Since Cunningham suffered the injury last Tuesday, Jenkins has taken over as the starter and lead offensive engine. The Pistons haven't skipped a beat and won four straight, including an impressive win against the Lakers. Detroit has won Jenkins' minutes in the last four games by a whopping 36 points.
The Pistons have long been looking for an answer to the problem of minutes when Cade Cunningham is not on the floor. Detroit has an abundance of on-ball players like Caris LeVert, Marcus Sasser, Ausar Thompson, and Ron Holland, but they all have serious weaknesses. None can consistently create good shots for themselves and others. There is a reason why the Pistons' offense completely tanked when Cunningham sat, scoring only 112.9 points per 100 possessions, compared to 120.7 when Cunningham is playing.
With Jenkins finding his stride, that search may be over. Jenkins is not the most efficient scorer himself, but he is shifty and dynamic. He can attack the rim and get to his spots. When defenses send help, he can spread the ball out to shooters or find the roll man inside. It's not the most lethal offense, but it's enough to keep the Pistons afloat, especially since they are an elite team on the other end of the floor.
In the playoffs, that's what Jenkins will need to do. Keep Detroit afloat for the ten minutes Cunningham sits in each game. With how badly LeVert has been struggling all season and how Holland and Thompson failed to take the next step offensively, the Pistons had serious questions about their offensive viability in the postseason. If Jenkins can carry this momentum into the playoffs, the Pistons will have fewer question marks and more certainty about their chances as a title contender.