Cade Cunningham injury: Collapsed lung to keep Pistons star out for ‘extended period’

Cade Cunningham’s collapsed lung threatens the Pistons’ dream season.

Mar 19, 2026, 1:26 PM UTC

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 12: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons dribbles the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 12, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)

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Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.

The Detroit Pistons are the surprise team of the NBA season. Two years ago, the Pistons won only 14 games. This season, they own the best record in the Eastern Conference at 49-19 overall thanks to the league’s No. 2 defense and the rise of Cade Cunningham as an All-NBA caliber player.

Now the Pistons’ dream season is facing a set back: Cunningham has a collapsed lung, and will miss an “extended period” of time, according to ESPN insider Shams Charania.

Cunningham has emerged as a fringe MVP candidate this season by averaging 24.5 points, 10 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game. He’s also a key part of Detroit’s elite defense, and might be the best defender of any star guard in the league. The 24-year-old was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, and is now fulling living up to the hype that started when he was back in high school.

The Pistons could make the 2026 NBA Finals, but they need Cunningham to do it. A collapsed lung typically has a timeline of anywhere from 3-8 weeks. The NBA Playoffs being April 18.

We’ll update this story as it develops.

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