“I Was Panicking A Lot,” Cade Cunningham Opens Up About Being Sidelined After Devastating Injury

Cade Cunningham made his return from collapsed lung against the Milwaukee Bucks.

“I Was Panicking A Lot,” Cade Cunningham Opens Up About Being Sidelined After Devastating Injury

Cade Cunningham (Image credits - Firstsportz)

In Short
  • Cade Cunningham returned to the Detroit Pistons lineup after a three-week recovery from a collapsed lung.
  • He recorded a double-double with 13 points, five rebounds, and ten assists in his comeback game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
  • Cunningham risks missing out on season-ending awards due to the NBA's 65-game eligibility rule, having played 62 games this season.

Cade Cunningham is back on the court after three weeks on the sidelines. In what looked like a season-ending injury at first, Cunningham made his return to the Detroit Pistons lineup against the Milwaukee Bucks. It was a convincing victory for the Pistons as they registered a 137-111 win over the Bucks at the Little Caesars Arena on Wednesday night.

In his press conference, Cunningham opened up about the process of recovering from the collapsed lung. 

It was different than any injury I’ve ever had. Thanks to all the staff and medical that was around and helped me through that time. I was kind of beat up, I was panicking a lot just with what I was feeling. They helped get me comfortable. Couldn’t get my heart rate up which was boring. My heart rate went up a few times watching the team.

Cade Cunningham on his recovery

Prior to his injury, Cade Cunningham was a strong MVP candidate. His performances this season were lauded by several former NBA players and analysts as he led the Pistons to the top of the Eastern Conference standings.

However, he suffered from a collapsed lung that put his 2025-26 campaign in jeopardy. It was a huge blow to the Pistons as they were making their first playoff appearance since the 2018-19 season.

The 24-year-old has made a remarkable recovery and made his return in just three weeks. During his absence, the Pistons went 8-3 and have continued to impress the NBA world.

Cade Cunningham shines in his return

While the Pistons have held fort in Cade Cunningham’s absence, they need their star point guard in the postseason. In his return against a struggling Bucks, Cunningham had a double-double as he recorded 13 points, five rebounds, and ten assists in just 26 minutes of action.

The win on Wednesday improved their record to 58-22 as they sealed the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Meanwhile, the Bucks are out of playoffs contention and sit at 11th place in the standings.

With Cunningham back on court, the Pistons will fancy their chances in a wide-open Eastern Conference despite their lack of playoff experience. The Pistons guard is averaging 24.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 9.9 assists this season and has established himself as one of the best players in the league.

Cade Cunningham on being ineligible for the season-ending awards

During Cunningham’s absence, he became one of the faces of the controversy over the NBA’s rule requiring players to play 65 games to be eligible for the season-ending awards and honors. He has played 62 games so far this season, and with just two games to go, Cunningham is at risk of missing all the honors as he will miss the 65-game mark by just one game.

Pistons star Cade Cunningham
Pistons star Cade Cunningham (Image credits – CBS Sports)

When asked about being ineligible for the awards, he said:

It’s tough for me right now this year because I think I did a lot of work to be in consideration for awards and all-NBA and all that stuff. I’m in a tough spot but I think it’ll all play out how it’s supposed to play out.

Cade Cunningham in his press conference

It is unfortunate that Cunningham is at risk of missing out on all the honors when he is having the best season of his career. The league has an “extraordinary circumstances challenge” that might give Cunningham consideration, but what happens remains to be seen.

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