The Detroit Pistons have confirmed that franchise star Cade Cunningham will be sidelined after being diagnosed with a collapsed lung, medically known as a pneumothorax. The team announced Thursday that the injury affects his left lung and that he will be reevaluated in two weeks, ruling him out for at least eight games.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the condition is considered mild, raising optimism that Cunningham could return before the start of the NBA Playoffs on April 18.
The injury occurred during Tuesday’s matchup against the Washington Wizards, when Cunningham dove for a loose ball and collided with guard Tre Johnson early in the first quarter. Initially labeled as back spasms, the issue proved more serious after further evaluation.
Cunningham, a two-time All-Star and a strong contender in the NBA MVP race, has been instrumental to Detroit’s success this season. The Pistons currently lead the Eastern Conference with a 49-19 record, sitting ahead of the Boston Celtics.
Despite his absence, Detroit has managed a 5-2 record without him this season, showing depth as they push toward a top playoff seed.
The 24-year-old guard is averaging 24.5 points and 9.9 assists per game—one of the highest assist averages in the league—and is on track for a historic season. Only eight players in NBA history have reached those numbers in a single season, and Cunningham would be the first to do so in a Pistons uniform.
However, his injury could impact award eligibility. After playing just five minutes in the Wizards game, Cunningham must appear in at least five more games to meet the NBA’s 65-game requirement for major honors, including MVP, All-NBA selections, and Defensive Player of the Year.
The Pistons will closely monitor his recovery as they aim to maintain momentum heading into a crucial postseason run.
