Cade Cunningham was having a stellar 2025-26 season before an injury brought everything to a halt. He was the driving force behind the Detroit Pistons’ total dominance in the Eastern Conference. Now, more than 10 days have passed since the two-time All-Star last played, and his absence from the lineup has left Pistons fans seeking answers as the league enters its final stretch of the 2025-26 regular season.
With the Pistons vs. Timberwolves matchup scheduled for March 28, updates on Cunningham’s injury and playing status bring nothing but the same old news.
When Will Cade Cunningham Return From His Lung Injury?
The Pistons (53-20) will travel to Target Center to lock horns against the Western Conference’s fifth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves (45-28) tonight. But the Pistons’ offensive cornerstone, Cunningham, will remain sidelined for this high-stakes road matchup.
Though the Pistons have shown incredible resilience without him, the specific nature of his injury has caused significant concern across the franchise.
After an awkward collision while diving for a loose ball, Cunningham exited the game early in the first quarter on March 17 in the Pistons vs. Wizards game. While initial reports suggested back spasms, proper medical evaluations revealed a more serious condition. The 24-year-old suffered from a left lung pneumothorax (collapsed lung) and is expected to remain out at least until April 8.
Since then, he has missed five consecutive games. Before the injury, Cunningham was playing at an MVP-caliber level and ranked in the top five on the MVP ladder.
He averaged 24.5 points, 9.9 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game. He shot 46.1% from the field in 61 appearances.
In the Pistons’ latest injury report ahead of the Wolves clash, Cunningham is officially ruled out for the sixth game in a row. The Pistons’ front office is prioritizing his recovery to ensure he is fully ready for the postseason.
Though he is not yet cleared for any full-contact activities, the team is “optimistic for his return before the playoff kicks off on April 18,” as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania on NBA Countdown this Wednesday.
How the Detroit Pistons Are Maintaining Their Lead Without Cunningham
Despite losing their main playmaker, Detroit remains atop the East. They have won four of the last five games, except for a 130-129 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday at Little Caesars Arena. In Cunningham’s absence, Jalen Duren has become a focal point, averaging 24.6 points and 10.4 rebounds on 65.1% shooting in the last five games.
MORE: Jalen Duren Makes Pistons History With Efficient 30-Point Masterclass in Cade Cunningham’s Absence
Like the Pistons, the Timberwolves are also missing their star, Anthony Edwards, who is out with right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The Pistons have the league’s ninth-best offensive rating (117.6), second-best defensive rating (109.8), and second-best net rating (7.8). The Wolves, in contrast, rank 12th in ORTG (117.1), sixth in DRTG (113.3), and 10th in NETRTG (3.8).
Relying on their defensive identity and the inside dominance of Duren and Isaiah Stewart, the Pistons aim to make a statement that they can handle top Western Conference teams even with their star guard sidelined.
