Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham is expected to return Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks, sources told ESPN, after missing 11 games with a collapsed left lung.
He suffered the injury on March 17 versus the Washington Wizards, and early projections suggested he could be out for the rest of the regular season, targeting a return just before the playoffs begin April 18.
Instead, Cunningham recovered quicker than anticipated and is now set to play in Detroit’s final three regular-season games after recently being listed as doubtful.
In 61 games, he is averaging 24.5 points, 9.9 assists, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 34.4 minutes per game.
Detroit went 8-3 without him and clinched home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs.
His injury has also sparked discussions off the court, with the National Basketball Players Association pushing to remove the 65-game minimum for awards eligibility, citing Cunningham’s situation as a key example.
Cade Cunningham To Return From Collapsed Lung Wednesday Against Bucks https://t.co/SWrmFL50Uy
— RealGM (@RealGM) April 8, 2026
