Cade Cunningham Injury Update — Collapsed Lung Diagnosis Gets Worse, No Definitive Timeline
The Cade Cunningham collapsed lung situation just escalated significantly. Early Thursday morning the Pistons announced a two-week minimum absence. By midday, ESPN's Shams Charania dropped a harder truth — there is no definitive timeline for return at all, and Cunningham is expected to miss an "extended" period. The Detroit Pistons' MVP candidate, Eastern Conference leader, and franchise cornerstone is now in genuine danger of missing the rest of the regular season entirely.
Cade Cunningham Collapsed Lung — The Latest Diagnosis Thursday
The Eastern Conference-leading Pistons announced Thursday that Cunningham has a left lung pneumothorax and will be reevaluated in two weeks, meaning he will miss at least eight games. Sources told ESPN's Shams Charania that the collapse of Cunningham's lung is considered mild, and there is some optimism that Cunningham will be back in time for the start of the playoffs, which begin on April 18.
Shams Charania reported Thursday morning that Cunningham does not have a definitive timeline for return and is expected to miss an "extended" period — a significant escalation from the initial two-week floor the team announced hours earlier.
How the Cade Cunningham Injury Happened Against Washington
Cunningham appeared to suffer the injury when he dove for a loose ball and collided into Wizards guard Tre Johnson with 7:44 left in the first quarter. He appeared to be laboring until he checked out 1:04 later, finishing with just six points and two rebounds in 5 minutes and 20 seconds on the floor.
The team initially labeled the injury back spasms — and Cunningham even tried to tough it out before the Pistons shut him down during the second quarter. The diagnosis that came later was significantly more serious than anyone anticipated when he first walked off the court.
Is Cade Cunningham Playing Tonight vs Wizards — No
Cade Cunningham is officially listed as OUT for tonight's Detroit Pistons vs Washington Wizards rematch due to the collapsed lung. He will not play. The Pistons are also without Isaiah Stewart, who is sidelined with a Grade 1 calf strain and will be reevaluated in one week — meaning Detroit heads into tonight's game in Washington missing both its franchise point guard and its starting center.
Pistons vs Wizards Tonight — Where to Watch
The Pistons play at Washington again tonight at 7 p.m. ET on NBA League Pass. Detroit holds a 3.5-game lead over the surging Boston Celtics atop the Eastern Conference standings with 14 games remaining.
Cade Cunningham Stats and What Detroit Loses
Cunningham is averaging 24.5 points, 9.9 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game on 46.1% from the field and 34.6% from three — one of the most complete seasons by a point guard in the NBA this year. He has been the driving force behind Detroit's surprise rise to the top of the Eastern Conference at 49-19.
In the four games Cunningham missed earlier this season, the Pistons went 2-2 — showing they can survive short absences but are far from dominant without him. The offense becomes more stagnant and less efficient, and the team failed to score more than 112 points in any of those four contests.
MVP Race and Award Eligibility — The 65-Game Problem
Cunningham has played in just 61 games this season. In order to be eligible for year-end awards, NBA players must appear in at least 65 games. Unless he can return in time to play in four more regular-season games, it appears likely he will be ineligible for MVP, All-NBA, and other major individual honors for 2025-26.
Jalen Duren Steps Up — Detroit's Next Man in Line
Jalen Duren scored 36 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in Tuesday's win over Washington without Cunningham on the floor. Without Cunningham this season, Duren is producing 27.3 points per 75 possessions — making the fourth-year big man Detroit's primary offensive option in the short term.
Daniss Jenkins and Marcus Sasser are expected to see expanded roles in the backcourt, with Jenkins offering primary playmaking after delivering one of his best performances of the year in Cunningham's absence on Tuesday night. The Pistons remain the East's top seed — but holding that lead without their engine running is the biggest test this franchise has faced all season.
