The Detroit Pistons are facing a challenging period as they navigate the absence of their star point guard, Cade Cunningham, who is sidelined with a collapsed left lung. This development could have significant implications for the Eastern Conference standings.
Cunningham exited early in the Pistons' recent 130-117 victory over the Washington Wizards after a dive for a loose ball left him injured. Initially diagnosed with a lower back contusion, further evaluation revealed the lung issue.
While the injury is considered mild, Cunningham is expected to miss a substantial amount of time. However, there's optimism he might return in time for the playoffs, which kick off on April 18.
The Pistons, currently leading the Eastern Conference with a 49-19 record, hold a 3.5-game lead over the Boston Celtics. Meanwhile, the New York Knicks, sitting in third, trail Detroit by five games. Notably, the Pistons have already secured the tiebreaker over the Knicks, having swept their regular-season series.
Cunningham, at 24, is having a stellar season, leading the Pistons with 24.5 points per game and ranking second in the NBA with 9.9 assists per game. His contributions also include 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. This season marks his second consecutive All-Star selection, underscoring his importance to the team.
If Cunningham is out for the projected two weeks, he will miss eight games. With 13 games left in the regular season after Thursday's matchup, Cunningham's absence could impact his eligibility for awards like MVP and All-NBA honors.
In Cunningham's absence, Daniss Jenkins, a promising talent from St. John’s, is expected to step up. Jenkins, who joined the Pistons as an undrafted rookie in 2024 and recently secured a standard contract, has been averaging 7.7 points and 3.1 assists in 17.4 minutes per game.
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff acknowledged the team's resilience, stating, “Unfortunately, we’ve dealt with a lot this season and had to call on different guys throughout the year.”
Adding to their roster changes, the Pistons recently traded guard Jaden Ivey to the Chicago Bulls, a move that could further shift the team dynamics as they push towards the postseason.