Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons
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Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons points skyward before playing against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 17, 2026 in Washington, DC.
The Detroit Pistons are beginning to see encouraging signs from Cade Cunningham — not just in his recovery, but in his presence around the team.
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff shared an emotional update on Cunningham’s progress after the All-Star guard was recently seen working out at the team’s practice facility.
“It’s great to have him there… for the group to see that he is able to get up, move around, just be around him, see him laugh,” Bickerstaff said, via MLive.com’s Jacob Richman. “Everybody wants to see him healthy and not going through what he was going through.”
Cade Cunningham Begins Light Training Work
Cunningham, who is recovering from a collapsed lung, has started taking early steps in his rehabilitation process.
Video shared by Pistons beat reporters — including Hunter Patterson of The Athletic and Richman — showed Cunningham participating in light training following practice.
While the activity remains limited, the sessions represent a meaningful milestone as Cunningham begins progressing toward a return.
The Pistons are expected to continue increasing his workload gradually as they monitor his recovery.
Pistons Maintaining Momentum Without Their Star
Even without Cunningham, Detroit has continued to perform at a high level.
The Pistons have won their last four games, including 3-0 since their franchise guard went down, maintaining a five-game cushion over the Boston Celtics for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Undrafted guard Daniss Jenkins has stepped into a larger role, averaging 20.3 points and 7.0 assists over his last three games.
Jenkins delivered a career-high 30 points in a 113-110 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, including six points in the final 34 seconds to seal the victory.
Team Identity Driving Success
Bickerstaff emphasized that Detroit’s ability to sustain success without Cunningham is rooted in the team’s collective identity.
“This comes from a year and a half of work, guys being dialed in, guys willing to sacrifice for the greater good of the team, being an absolute and true team — and that’s what we are,” Bickerstaff said.
“We’re not a bunch of individuals. We’re not guys that just happen to be in the same locker room. Our group is the definition of team.”
Bickerstaff added that the Pistons’ depth and willingness to embrace different roles have allowed them to remain competitive during Cunningham’s absence.
“Whoever’s night it is, it’s that person’s night, and everybody does the best thing they can to support them,” he said. “We have guys capable of stepping up and making plays that are fearless.”
Cunningham’s Presence Still Impacting Locker Room
Beyond his on-court production, Cunningham’s presence around the team has continued to play a role during his recovery.
His return to the facility — even in a limited capacity — has provided a boost to team morale as Detroit pushes through a critical stretch of the season.
Players and coaches alike have emphasized the importance of having their franchise cornerstone engaged, even while sidelined.
What Comes Next
Cunningham remains in the early stages of recovery, and the Pistons are expected to take a cautious approach moving forward.
The organization will continue to evaluate his progress as he ramps up activity, with the ultimate goal of having him fully healthy for the postseason.
In the meantime, Detroit’s ability to maintain its identity and production without its star could prove just as valuable as his eventual return.