Cade Cunningham gets shocking injury update. What it means for Pistons.
Mark GiannottoThe Detroit Pistons have been atop the Eastern Conference standings for much of the 2025-26 NBA season, and Cade Cunningham's ascension as one of the league's best players is a driving force behind their rise. But the Pistons' run encountered an unexpected setback on Thursday, March 19 with news of a potentially serious injury to Cunningham.
The No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft left the Pistons' game against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday in the first quarter with what the team initially described as back spasms. The official diagnosis appears to be worse, according to a new report, and could jeopardize Cunningham's availability for the postseason.
Here's the latest injury update on Pistons star Cade Cunningham:
Is Cade Cunningham playing today?
No. Cunningham is listed as out when the Pistons face the Washington Wizards again on Thursday, March 19. The NBA's official injury report initially cited Cunningham as having a left back injury and contusion as of 9:30 a.m. ET. But by 12 p.m., the team's wording had been changed to "Left Lung;Pneumothorax."
Cade Cunningham injury report
The Pistons initially said Cunningham left Tuesday's game against the Wizards with back spasms shortly after Washington guard Tre Johnson fell on top of him as the two dove for a loose ball in the first quarter.
By Thursday, however, Cunningham's official diagnosis had changed. Cunningham is dealing with a left lung pneumothorax, or collapsed lung, as a result of the injury. He will miss an extended period of time, according to ESPN. The team did not release an exact timeline, but stated he would re-evaluated in two weeks.
Having appeared in just 61 games this season, Cunningham would not be eligible for all-NBA status or postseason awards if he were to not play again in the regular season. More importantly, the start of the NBA playoffs is less than a month away and it's uncertain if Cunningham will be available.
For reference, CJ McCollum suffered a collapsed lung while playing for New Orleans Pelicans during the 2023-24 NBA season and missed more than three weeks of action before returning to the court.
Cade Cunningham stats
Cunningham is averaging 24.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and ranks second in the NBA with 9.9 assists per game.
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