Cade Cunningham Blow Rocks Detroit: Pistons Star Suffers From Collapsed Lung - Report

Last Updated:March 19, 2026, 19:42 IST

Pistons' Cunningham has reportedly suffered from a collapsed lung -- with a return to action before playoffs being ruled uncertain.

This wasn’t part of the script. Not for the season the Detroit Pistons were building.

Because just as everything was clicking, disaster struck.

Cade Cunningham has reportedly been diagnosed with a collapsed lung, according to ESPN, putting his season (and Detroit’s title push) in serious jeopardy.

Per Shams Charania, the condition is considered mild, and Cunningham is expected to be stable. But even in the best-case scenario, this isn’t a quick turnaround injury.

Cade exited Tuesday’s game against the Washington Wizards with what was initially described as back spasms. The injury occurred early in the first quarter after he dove for a loose ball.

He tried to play through it, but couldn’t — and now, the diagnosis has shifted from discomfort to something far more serious.

The timing couldn’t be more brutal.

The Pistons have been the story of the season: flipping from a 14-win disaster just two years ago to a 49-19 powerhouse, currently leading the Eastern Conference.

At the centre of it all? Cunningham.

The 24-year-old has been playing at an All-NBA level, averaging 24.5 points, 10 assists, and 5.6 rebounds, while anchoring both ends of the floor. He’s even forced his way into MVP conversations.

Playoffs in Sight… But Without Their Star?

A collapsed lung typically comes with a 3–8 week recovery timeline. That puts Cunningham in a race against the clock with the NBA Playoffs set to begin on April 18.

There’s cautious optimism he could return for the playoffs — but the regular season? That’s now very much in doubt.

While the Pistons have proven they’re no longer a rebuilding team, they’re also not built to make a deep run without their engine.

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