Magic-Pistons Injury Report: Cade Cunningham, Wendell Carter Jr. Won't Play

The latest on player health and status entering Saturday's contest between the Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons.

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) handles the ball in front of Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) during the second half at KIA Center. / Mike Watters-Imagn Images

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons do battle Saturday night in a one-off home game for the Magic. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET inside the Kia Center.

Orlando comes in riding high off a 2-1 road trip that concluded with Franz Wagner's game-winning three over the Los Angeles Lakers. Down three starters and with Anthony Davis and LeBron James combining for 70 points, Wagner's 37-point, 11-assist double-double rolled credits for the Magic in Hollywood. They sit at 10-7 this season and are 7-0 at home. – one of two unbeatens left on their home floor (Cleveland).

The Pistons lost in a thriller of their own Thursday evening, falling 123-121 in overtime to the Charlotte Hornets. Leading contributions from Brandon Miller (38) and LaMelo Ball (35) were enough to overcome Cade Cunningham's near triple-double (27, seven rebounds, 10 assists.)

Here's the latest on player health and status for each team heading into Saturday night's contest.

Orlando Magic Injury Report

• Paolo Banchero: OUT (torn right oblique)
• Wendell Carter Jr.: OUT (left foot plantar fasciitis)

Banchero will miss his 12th straight game with a torn right oblique suffered Oct. 30 at Chicago.

Carter Jr. missed his 10th straight game with left foot plantar fasciitis on Thursday, being downgraded from questionable to out for the second game running.

"Dell is able to do a little bit of court work the past couple days," said coach Jamahl Mosley of Carter Jr. pregame Thursday. "He's progressing according to exactly how he feels, and then we're just gonna keep going off of that."

4:30 p.m. Saturday update: Carter Jr. has been downgraded to OUT. He'll miss his 11th straight game Saturday.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who missed Thursday's game for personal reasons – later revealed on the Magic's broadcast because he rushed home for the birth of his family's fifth child – is not on the injury report for Saturday.

Detroit Pistons Injury Report

• Cade Cunningham: OUT (left sacroiliac joint sprain)
• Bobi Klintman: OUT (right calf contusion)
• Ausar Thompson: AVAILABLE (return to competition conditioning)

Cunningham took a hard fall and landed on his tailbone in the fourth quarter of the Pistons' Thursday game at Charlotte, and he's out for Detroit vs. Orlando.

A replay of Cade Cunningham’s nasty fall in the 4th quarter landing on his tailbone pic.twitter.com/OtW4r7YODW

— Pistons Talk (@Pistons__Talk) November 22, 2024

Thompson has yet to play this year and is aiming to make his return after being cleared by the NBA's Fitness-to-Play panel following a blood clot diagnosis in March. His upgrade to questionable for Saturday's game is the first such time that's happened this season.

6:30 p.m Thursday update: Thompson is available to make his season debut tonight vs. Orlando.

Klintman has yet to play in this, his rookie season, due to his calf contusion.

Related Stories on the Orlando Magic

• NBA WORLD BUZZES OVER FRANZ'S GAME-WINNER: See the best reactions on social media to Franz Wagner's game-winning shot that sunk the Lakers Thursday night. CLICK HERE
• MAGIC-LAKERS RECAP: How Franz Wagner's 'Movie Moment' overcame LeBron, AD in the Magic's win over the Lakers. CLICK HERE
• COLUMN: WAGNER WORTH EVERY PENNY: The Orlando Magic met equal parts praise and skepticism when they gave Franz Wagner a $224-million max rookie extension. Fifteen games into the season, Wagner's on an All-Star trajectory. CLICK HERE
• COULD BANCHERO RETURN BY CHRISTMAS?: Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero told ESPN's Marc Spears that he feels he could be back by Christmas from a torn right oblique muscle. CLICK HERE
• FRANZ WAGNER NAMED EAST POTW: Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner became the 14th player in franchise history to be named the conference’s Player of the Week. CLICK HERE
• MAGIC'S 2024-25 SCHEDULE: See the complete slate for the Orlando Magic in 2024-25 and all the details – dates, locations, TV, tip times, and more – that you need to know. CLICK HERE

Want more Orlando Magic coverage on Sports Illustrated?

Follow 'Orlando Magic on SI' on Facebook and like our page. Follow Magic beat reporter Mason Williams on Twitter/X @mvsonwilliams. Also, bookmark our homepage so you never miss a story.