Cade Cunningham Returns to Action for Pistons' Home Finale
Cade Cunningham is set to return to the Detroit Pistons' lineup tonight for their home finale against the Milwaukee Bucks, and the timing could not be better for a franchise that has quietly become the best team in the Eastern Conference.
Cunningham has been sidelined for 11 games after suffering a collapsed left lung - a pneumothorax - during a March 17 victory over the Washington Wizards. The injury cut short what had been one of the most impressive individual seasons in the NBA this year.
An MVP-Caliber Season Interrupted
Before the injury, Cunningham was firmly in the MVP conversation. His numbers this season tell the story of a player who has taken a massive leap:
| Stat | 2025-26 |
|---|---|
| Points | 24.5 PPG |
| Assists | 9.9 APG |
| Rebounds | 5.6 RPG |
| Steals | 1.5 SPG |
| Field Goal % | 46.1% |
Those are All-NBA numbers in every sense. Unfortunately, because Cunningham did not reach the league's required 65-game minimum due to the injury, he will be ineligible for end-of-season awards including MVP and All-NBA team recognition. It is a cruel twist for a player who was clearly among the very best in the league this season.
The Pistons Thrived Without Him
Here is what makes this story even more remarkable: Detroit did not miss a beat.
In Cunningham's absence, the Pistons went 11-3, an extraordinary run that cemented their standing as the class of the East. The team was carried by center Jalen Duren, who stepped into a starring role with 22.0 points and 10.4 rebounds per game, announcing himself as one of the most dominant big men in the conference. Reserve guard Daniss Jenkins also stepped up in a big way, averaging 18.9 points per game off the bench.
The result? Detroit (57-22) clinched the No. 1 overall seed in the Eastern Conference - their first time holding home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs in 18 years. For a franchise that spent years rebuilding through the lottery, this moment carries real weight.
Building Toward the Playoffs
With three regular-season games remaining, the Pistons are not treating these matchups as must-wins. Instead, the focus is on getting Cunningham's conditioning right. Eleven games away from game action means his timing, legs, and rhythm will all need fine-tuning before the postseason begins.
The smart approach is exactly what Detroit is doing: ease him back, manage his minutes, and make sure he is sharp and healthy when the lights get brightest in May.
For a Pistons team that has already proven it can win without its best player, getting Cunningham back healthy is simply an upgrade to an already dangerous roster. The rest of the Eastern Conference should be concerned.
Analysis by Sweet Science Sports. Where Intelligence Meets Impact.
