Detroit Pistons All-Star Cade Cunningham has been diagnosed with a collapsed left lung following a collision with Washington Wizards rookie Tre Johnson during Tuesday’s game at Capital One Arena, the team announced Thursday.
The injury occurred with 7:44 remaining in the first quarter when Cunningham and Johnson collided while attempting to secure a loose ball. Cunningham initially remained in the game for just over a minute before being substituted. The Pistons initially attributed his departure to back spasms and later listed him as out for Thursday’s rematch against the Wizards with a left back contusion. Further testing revealed the pneumothorax.
The Pistons confirmed Cunningham will be re-evaluated in two weeks, meaning he will miss at least the team’s next eight games. The injury is considered mild, according to sources.
The timing of the injury presents a challenge for the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons, who are 49-19 and on pace for their best season in nearly two decades. Cunningham is averaging 24.5 points and 9.9 assists per game, the second-highest assist total in the NBA. Detroit currently holds a 3.5 game lead over the Boston Celtics for the top seed in the East.
The Pistons have gone 5-2 in games without Cunningham this season. Forward Ausar Thompson emphasized the need for continued team effort in the face of his absence. “Play hard, play the coaches’ game plan and probably know that (with) our best player out, we’ve got to move the ball a little more and know not one person could win it (on his own), but we all can collectively,” Thompson said at Detroit’s shootaround Thursday.
Cunningham’s injury also raises questions about his eligibility for postseason awards. NBA rules stipulate that players must appear in at least 65 games to be considered for honors such as All-NBA teams. Cunningham has played in 61 games, with 14 regular season games remaining.
The Pistons are also without Isaiah Stewart, who is currently nursing a left calf strain and will be re-evaluated next Tuesday. The team is not expected to begin its playoff run until April 18 or 19.
Leave a Reply