The Detroit Pistons received a gut punch this week after learning that Cade Cunningham has been diagnosed with a lung pneumothorax, more commonly known as a collapsed lung. The injury means the Pistons’ best player will be missing significant time, with estimates ranging from a couple of weeks to the remainder of the NBA regular season (and maybe even parts of the postseason. As such, the ripple effects on Detroit and the whole Eastern Conference might be substantial.
Celtics Might Catch Up for the First Seed
Despite not having Jayson Tatum for the first 62 games of their 2025–26 campaign, the Boston Celtics still managed to win in the East with Jaylen Brown at the helm. As of right now, the Celtics (46-23) are just 4.0 games behind the No. 1-seeded Detroit Pistons (50-19).
Without Cade Cunningham, the C’s chances of stealing that number one spot increase as the days pass, putting them in a better position come playoff time. As the first seed, they’ll have home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs and would be facing a lighter challenge in the first round, considering their opponent had to participate in the Play-In Tournament first.
Pistons’ Hobbled Offense in the Playoffs
If Cade Cunningham won’t be able to return in the playoffs, the Detroit Pistons will obviously feel the difference in a much more competitive setting. The Celtics, along with the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and even the Toronto Raptors, would take advantage of a Cunningham-less Pistons squad.
With their main playmaker and best scorer out, Motor City would be hobbled mostly on offense. Without him, Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren, and Isaiah Stewart would have to carry additional offensive loads—and they’re not even known for their scoring, but their defense. Additionally, without the 2022 Rookie of the Year, the Pistons are left with Marcus Sasser, Daniss Jenkins, and Caris LeVert as their best options at the point guard position.
Cade Cunningham Might Lose Out on Regular Season Awards Due to 65-Game Rule
Aside from the brutal blow to the team, Cunningham is also highly likely going to miss out on a career year. Before going down with an injury, the former first overall pick was averaging 24.5 points, 9.9 assists, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game on 35-46-81 shooting splits while leading the Detroit Pistons to their best season in recent memory, going from 14-68 to 50 wins in just a span of three years.
Because of that, Cunningham has been a runner-up for MVP and is looking strong for All-NBA Second Team. Unfortunately, with only 61 games under his belt, Cunningham might miss out on those awards because of the NBA’s 65-game rule.
He isn’t ruled out just yet, but again, it’s too risky to force MotorCade to return to the court. The best the franchise can do right now is hope for his fast recovery and wish he comes back stronger for the postseason.
