Cade Cunningham
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Cade Cunningham is enjoying a career year in Detroit
With the 2025-2026 NBA season winding down and playoffs approaching, the last thing the Detroit Pistons needed was a hit to the health department.
An injury to Isaiah Stewart was a tough pill to swallow, considering he’s the primary backup center. But the Pistons can go week-to-week with uncertainty there, knowing they have an All-Star big man in Jalen Duren.
However, the thought of losing Cade Cunningham could be viewed as a nightmare thought, but now it’s become Detroit’s reality.
During a matchup against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday, March 17, Cunningham left the game early with a setback. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game. When he was ruled out for the rematch against the Wizards on March 19, Cunningham’s initial diagnosis was a back contusion.
It turns out that it’s deeper than that.
An official announcement from the Pistons confirmed the All-Star was diagnosed with a left lung pneumothorax. He will be out for at least two weeks. There will be a re-evaluation at the end of the month, and the next steps will be determined around then.
JB Bickerstaff Makes Statement On Cade Cunningham’s Injury
GettyDETROIT, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 26: J.B. Bickerstaff head coach of the Detroit Pistons reacts against the Boston Celtics at Little Caesars Arena on October 26, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
“It’s tough for Cade to go through what he’s going through now. You know how important he is to the team, and how important being with his team is to him, it doesn’t make it easy,” Bickerstaff told reporters.
“He’s a huge part of what we do from a leadership standpoint. Obviously, the talent’s there, but just being around him every single day makes people’s day better, and we’ll miss that.”
Cunningham was playing in his 61st game of the year in the game he went out. Although he had unfortunate luck when it came to injuries early on in his career, Cunningham broke the trend last season by appearing in 70 games.
He was on pace to have another strong season in the availability category once again, but this setback might have him missing the NBA’s 65-game minimum to be eligible for seasonal awards. That’s just how difficult the blow could be.
The Pistons’ Next-Man-Up Mentality
GettyDETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 05: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons plays against the New York Knicks at Little Caesars Arena on January 05, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
“It’s our responsibility to keep pushing forward and we know he’s there rooting for us, pulling for us,” Bickerstaff continued.
“When he’s around, he’ll be cheering for us, helping coach, and leading all those things. So it’s everybody’s responsibility to keep moving forward. You know, head down, 10 toes forward, and go to work. And that’s what this team has done all year in the past.”
Omari Sankofa II
JB on Cade’s injury: “Obviously it’s tough. Tough for Cade to go through what he’s going through right now … It’s everybody’s responsibility to keep moving forward, head down, 10 toes forward and go to work. And that’s what this team has done all year.”
Bickerstaff and the Pistons know that even a collective effort will be difficult to replicate what the two-time All-Star brings to the table. Cunningham has been in the MVP conversation for most of the season, and there’s a clear reason for that. He is a unique talent, which places the Pistons in a challenging spot.
All the Pistons can do at this point is continue churning out wins while they can, and hope that Cunningham is healthy in time for the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
When asked if being ready for the postseason was a possibility, Bickerstaff confirmed that it’s too early to determine a timetable that far out. The Pistons won’t count on Cunningham to be back in time for the postseason right now, but certainly don’t rule him out.