Cade Cunningham Suffers Another Loss After Collapsed Lung Update

Cade Cunningham has been having one of the best seasons of his career with the Detroit Pistons. Now it may cost him everything that comes with it.

The Pistons entered Thursday at 49-19, leading the Boston Celtics by 3.5 games for the top seed in the East. This is the franchise’s best standing since 2007, and Cade Cunningham is the primary reason why.

Through 61 games, Cunningham has averaged 24.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 9.9 assists. His assist numbers rank second in the league, trailing only Nikola Jokić. More importantly, his scoring and playmaking have accounted for over 35% of Detroit’s total points this season.

But on Thursday, the Pistons announced he has a collapsed lung and will be re-evaluated in two weeks. It happened during Tuesday’s game against the Washington Wizards. While diving for a loose ball in the first quarter, Cunningham collided with Wizards guard Tre Johnson. 

He played only five minutes before leaving the game. Although the team initially reported the injury as back spasms, subsequent tests revealed the lung diagnosis. He is expected to miss at least the next eight games.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported the lung collapse is considered mild, and said there is cautious optimism Cunningham can return for the playoffs, which tip off April 18. 

Before the health setback, Cunningham had played 61 games this season. To remain eligible for All-NBA and MVP honors, he must reach the 65-game minimum. With only 14 games remaining in the regular season, a two-week recovery window leaves him very little time to reach that mark.