By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Detroit Pistons’ dream season has been met with a significant hurdle as superstar point guard Cade Cunningham has been diagnosed with a collapsed lung, as reported by ESPN senior NBA insider Shams Charania on Thursday. The 24-year-old is expected to miss an extended period of time as he recovers from the health issue.
The injury occurred during Tuesday’s victory over the Washington Wizards. Cunningham exited the game early with what was initially described as back spasms. The team later updated his status to a left back contusion before further testing revealed the severity of the condition.
The mild lung collapse comes at a devastating time for both the player and the franchise.
Just in: Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham has been diagnosed with a collapsed lung and is expected to miss an extended period of time, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/JIHABIIOY5
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 19, 2026
Cunningham has been playing at an MVP-caliber level in his fifth season, leading the Pistons to a conference-best 49-19 record. Currently sitting 3.5 games ahead of the Boston Celtics for the top seed in the East, Detroit now faces the challenge of maintaining its lead without its primary engine. Through 61 games, the Texas native has been spectacular, averaging 24.5 points, 9.9 assists, and 5.6 rebounds, while ranking second in the league in playmaking.
The timing also creates a precarious situation for Cunningham’s postseason accolades. Having played 61 games, he is just four appearances shy of the 65-game minimum required to remain eligible for major honors like the MVP or All-NBA teams.
With head coach J.B. Bickerstaff losing his floor general, the Pistons will likely lean more heavily on their depth to close out the 2025-26 Regular Season. A clear recovery timeline for the two-time All-Star is pending, with his health now the top priority for the championship contenders.