Pistons' Cade Cunningham Could Miss Extended Time with Collapsed Lung Detroit — The Detroit Pistons may face a significant setback as star guard Cade Cunningham is expected to miss an extended period due to a collapsed lung. A team source confirmed to The Detroit News on Thursday that Cunningham, the Pistons' leading scorer and playmaker, has been diagnosed with a pneumothorax, a condition where air accumulates in the space between the lung and the chest wall. The injury occurred during the Pistons' 130-119 win over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday. The incident unfolded midway through the first quarter when Cunningham dove for a loose ball after Wizards guard Tre Johnson lost control of his dribble. While attempting to retrieve the ball, Johnson inadvertently kneed Cunningham in the back. Cunningham played for about a minute before exiting the game at the 6:40 mark of the quarter. He finished the contest with five minutes of action, scoring six points on 2-of-3 shooting. Team sources indicated there is currently no set timeline for his return. A collapsed lung, or pneumothorax, requires medical evaluation to determine the severity and appropriate treatment. Recovery depends on the extent of the injury and the method of treatment. In less severe cases, rest alone may suffice for a full recovery. If Cunningham undergoes needle aspirations to remove the trapped air, he could potentially return by the start of the playoffs, which begin on April 18. However, if a chest tube is required, his return could be delayed until after the playoffs have started. Cunningham’s absence could impact his eligibility for regular-season awards, as the league mandates at least 65 games played to qualify. The 24-year-old has appeared in 61 games this season, averaging 24.9 points, 10.1 assists, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.#washington_wizards #cade_cunningham #detroit_pistons #tre_johnson #little_caesars_arena
