Cade Cunningham’s Breakout Season
Cade Cunningham has been the driving force behind Detroit’s rise this season. The 2021 No. 1 pick has elevated his game, earning an All-Star nod while firmly establishing himself as the franchise centerpiece for a Pistons team that sits atop the East. Their 49–19 record is their best since the 2007–08 season, and with a +7.5 net rating and an offensive rating of 117.4, Detroit is rolling.
Cade is averaging an impressive 24.5 points per game this season, ranking 13th in the NBA. While his scoring has leaped, he’s even more known across the league for his playmaking, arguably the best in the world (with the obvious Jokic exception). With 9.9 assists per game, second in the NBA, he’s the engine that makes the Pistons’ offense go.
Cunningham is one of just two guards this season averaging at least 1 steal and 1 block per game. Add that to his shooting splits, 46.1% from the field, 34.6% from three, and 81.4% from the line, and you’re looking at a super well-rounded offensive profile. His PER sits at 22, a career high and one of the better marks in the league. The one number that concerns me, though, is his 7.8 win shares. MVP candidates are usually flirting with double digits, and a lot of them clear 10. So it’s fair to ask: Is Cade really impacting the Pistons as much as we think?
Cade is functioning as the primary initiator and is a near triple-double threat every single night. His evolution into one of the NBA’s most elite offensive forces has been entertaining to watch. However, the Pistons’ recent skid has me wondering: Can he put up these kinds of numbers and still lead Detroit to winning at the highest level?
The Injury (Pneumothorax Explained + Timeline)
The injury occurred against the Washington Wizards on March 17th after a collision with Tre Johnson. It was initially diagnosed and reported as back spasms, then changed to a contusion, before they later confirmed, 2 days later, that it was a pneumothorax, or better known as a collapsed left lung.
Pneumothorax is an injury in which the lung partially collapses, often caused by a hard impact in contact sports. Shams Charania reported that Cade’s case is mild, which, combined with a two-week reevaluation timeline, suggests that Cade and the Pistons still have a real chance to finish their historic season strong.
Cade Cunningham has played 61 games this season, and with an expected absence to be a minimum of at least 8 games, Cunningham has to play 4 more games to be eligible for postseason awards. With an average NBA recovery baseline for a mild lung injury being 26 days, also taking into account that Cade can’t fly immediately post the injury, Cunningham really only has 6 playable games left if he misses 8 games.
Best case, he’s back right before or at the start of the playoffs on April 18th. Worst case, Cade ends up missing several games, or even the entire postseason, which would obviously crush the Pistons’ title hopes this year and disrupt the team’s flow and chemistry.
Impact, Adjustments & Playoff Stakes
The offensive impact on the team is evident. A loss of a 9.9 APG primary playmaker affects a team significantly. Expect a reduction in ball movement, shot creation, shot efficiency, and overall pace control for the Pistons, which they have built their season on.
Cade’s versatile defense will also be missed while he’s out. His 1.5 steals and 1 block per game, combined with his size and IQ on the perimeter, have helped the Pistons build the best defense in the league. Still, I’m not overly worried on that end with Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson holding down the fort.
Over these next eight games, the pressure from the Boston Celtics (46–23) is real, but I don’t see the Pistons dropping eight straight this late in the season. Their depth and bench firepower are what this run has been built on. Even with their leader sidelined, they’re still the top team in the East.
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