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The Detroit Pistons have been dealt a major blow at the worst possible time, with franchise star Cade Cunningham sidelined after being diagnosed with a collapsed lung.
The team confirmed Thursday that Cunningham is dealing with a left lung pneumothorax and will be reevaluated in two weeks, forcing him to miss at least eight games as Detroit continues its push toward the postseason.
There is some early optimism surrounding the situation, however.
The injury is considered mild, and there is belief Cunningham could return in time for the playoffs, which are set to begin on April 18th, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The injury comes as a shock given how it initially presented. Cunningham exited Tuesday’s game against the Washington Wizards with what the Pistons first described as back spasms. The issue occurred early in the first quarter after he dove for a loose ball and collided with Wizards guard Tre Johnson.
He briefly attempted to play through it but was clearly uncomfortable before checking out just over a minute later.
Detroit now faces the challenge of maintaining its position atop the Eastern Conference without its leader. The Pistons currently sit at 49–19, holding a 3.5 game lead over the Boston Celtics.
Despite Cunningham’s absence, there is some evidence the team can stay afloat. Detroit has gone 5-2 in games without him this season, showing its depth during stretches where their star has been unavailable.
Still, replacing Cunningham’s production is no easy task.
The 24-year-old is averaging 24.5 points and 9.9 assists across 61 games this season, with the latter ranking second in the entire NBA. His all-around impact has been a driving force behind what is shaping up to be Detroit’s best season in nearly two decades.
Historically, those numbers place him in elite company. Only eight players in league history have averaged at least that many points and assists over a full season, and Cunningham would be the first to do so in a Pistons uniform.
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