Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham has been diagnosed with a collapsed lung and is expected to miss an extended period, according to an ESPN report.
The 23-year-old Cunningham was selected first overall by Detroit in the 2021 NBA draft out of Oklahoma State University.[1] He earned his first NBA All-Star selection in 2024.[2]
In the 2024-25 season, Cunningham is averaging 24.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game over 27 appearances.[3] His career averages are 22.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.9 assists in 171 regular-season games.[3]
The Pistons finished 14-68 in the 2023-24 season, including a 28-game losing streak that set an NBA record.[4] Under new coach J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit is 12-15 and 11th in the Eastern Conference standings as of December 22, 2024.[5]
For context on recovery timelines, Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum missed 22 games due to a collapsed lung from late February to late April 2021.[6] In 2023, while with the New Orleans Pelicans, he missed five games from early May.[7]
The 2024-25 NBA playoffs are scheduled to begin on April 19, 2025.[8]
Sources
- NBA.com
2021 NBA Draft
July 29, 2021
https://www.nba.com/news/2021-nba-draft-order - NBA.com
NBA announces 2024 All-Star Game rosters
January 25, 2024
https://www.nba.com/news/nba-announces-2024-all-star-game-rosters - Basketball-Reference.com
Cade Cunningham Stats
Accessed December 22, 2024
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/cunnicad01.html - Basketball-Reference.com
2023-24 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats
Accessed December 22, 2024
https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DET/2024.html - NBA.com
NBA Standings
Accessed December 22, 2024
https://www.nba.com/standings - ESPN.com
CJ McCollum has collapsed lung, Trail Blazers say
February 25, 2021
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31106475/cj-mccollum-collapsed-lung-portland-trail-blazers-say - ESPN.com
CJ McCollum of Pelicans suffer another collapsed lung
May 8, 2023
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/36146962/cj-mccollum-pelicans-suffer-another-collapsed-lung - NBA.com
NBA announces key dates for 2024-25 season including playoffs
August 14, 2024
https://www.nba.com/news/nba-announces-key-dates-2024-25-season
