DETROIT – Detroit Pistons two-time All-Star Cade Cunningham will miss an extended period of time due to a pneumothorax.
ESPN Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania reported on X Thursday (March 19).
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Just in: Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham has been diagnosed with a collapsed lung and is expected to miss an extended period of time, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/JIHABIIOY5
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 19, 2026
A pneumothorax, or a collapsed lung, occurs when air leaks into the space between the lung and the chest wall, often causing sudden, sharp chest pain and shortness of breath.
The injury is more commonly featured in contact sports like the NFL, but there have been other cases, including some prominent names.
Here is what Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham has been diagnosed with. pic.twitter.com/i7kZh0fYDe
— Brandon L. Carr (@Carrpediem21) March 19, 2026
CJ McCollum suffered the injury in 2023, missing 12 games in a four-week span, and then again in 2021, where he missed 18 games in six weeks.
Terrance Jones suffered the same injury in 2015, costing him six games in a two-week span, and former All-Star Gerald Wallace missed seven games in three weeks back in 2009.
Although not confirmed, Cunningham suffered the injury on March 17 against the Washington Wizards while diving for a loose ball when shooting guard Tre Johnson kneed him in the ribs.
Detroit has 14 games remaining and is one month out until the playoffs start, so it’s possible that Cunningham could miss the remainder of the regular season.
If he does, Cunningham, who has played in only 61 games, would not qualify for the Most Valuable Player award or the All-NBA teams, as the threshold is 65 regular-season games.
Cunningham, before exiting the game with the then-reported back spasms, recorded six points and two rebounds in just 5 minutes and 20 seconds.
He has appeared in 61 games so far this season, and players need to play in at least 65 games to be eligible for major postseason honors such as MVP and All-NBA selections.
The Pistons confirmed the report on Thursday, saying that Cunningham would be re-evaluated in two weeks.
“After further testing, Pistons guard Cade Cunningham has been diagnosed with a left lung pneumothorax,” the team said. “Cunningham exited Tuesday’s game vs. the Wizards in the first quarter. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks.”
Cunningham was averaging 25 points, 10 assists, and 5.6 rebounds before the injury news.