The Detroit Pistons’ rise in the Eastern Conference faces a major setback as Cade Cunningham has been diagnosed with a collapsed lung and is expected to miss an extended stretch of games. 

The 24 year old guard, an MVP candidate this season, has been the driving force behind Detroit’s impressive 49-19 record, giving them a 3.5 game lead over the Boston Celtics.

Cunningham, the No. 1 pick in 2018 out of Oklahoma State, has averaged 25.4 points, 9.5 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game since the 2024-25 season, earning back-to-back All-Star selections. Detroit has come a long way from the 28-game losing streak three seasons ago and a 14-68 record, transforming into a legitimate title contender.

With the playoffs starting on April 18th, Cunningham’s availability is uncertain. Comparisons to CJ McCollum suggest a potential return is possible if the Pistons make a deep run, but the timeline remains unclear, leaving Detroit to navigate the postseason without their star for the foreseeable future.