NBA | Cade Cunningham’s Collpased Lung: Eastern Conference Outlook & Odds

Varun Sharma

Written by: Varun Sharma

Last Update: Sat Mar 21, 2026, 4:14 pm ET

Read Time: 6 minutes

Cade Cunningham

nba

Detroit Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham will miss at least the next two weeks due to a 'collapsed lung' he suffered against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday.

This is the part of the year where nothing matters more than the health of your players. Teams looking at the playoffs need to keep their guys healthy and teams looking to next year need to make sure they go into their off-season as healthy as possible.

This changes a lot in the Eastern Conference and we're here to discuss the injury and what it means for the Pistons going forward.

For more on NBA Futures, click here for an in depth look at this year's odds to lift the Larry O'Brien Trophy. 

For additional information on picks, props, money lines and more on today's NBA slate, take a look at our NBA Picks Page or our NBA Odds Page. 

The Detroit Pistons

Get yourself geared up for Thursday night hoops, as Danny Burke delivers his NBA prop bets for Thursday, January 15.

Collapsed…What?

When news first broke of Cade's injury, a collapsed lung was the last thing on anyone's mind. He went down five minutes into the Pistons's game against the Wizards on Tuesday; on what seemed like minimal contact.

Cade hit the ground and immediately as he gets up you see him lifting up his left arm, probably struggling to get a full breath in. He went to the bench and although it was initially reported as a back issue, he's since been diagnosed with a left lung pneumothorax.

While it's definitely not something you want, a pneumothorax, or 'collapsed lung', can sound a lot worse than it is. In actuality what's happening is air is leaking out of the patient's lung and into a space between the lung and chest wall called the pleural space.

The air in the pleural space prevents the lung from fully inflating and leads to shortness of breath, chest pain and a range of other symptoms if left untreated. The air needs to be removed with either a needle or chest tube; depending on the severity.

What we saw happen to Cade was a spontaneous pneumothorax, something common in thin/tall males. The team has stated Cade will be re-evaluated in two weeks, but is there a chance he misses more time?

Return Schedule

It's hard to give out a realistic timetable without actually being in the room, but judging by the video, I'd be surprised if Cade wasn't ready for the postseason. The severity of a pneumothorax really depends on what caused it. Was it a puncture wound or was it spontaneous?

When you hear 'collapsed lung', it's hard not to think about the NFL. Guys like T.J. Watt and Tyrod Taylor both come to mind.

Both of those injuries would be categorized as a 'traumatic' pneumothorax. The difference with a traumatic pneumothorax is that something (ie. the needle) causes the puncture and allows air from outside the body to now enter the pleural space.

In a spontaneous pneumothorax, it's a bleb (air-filled blister) on the outer surface of the lung that ruptures and allows air from the lung into the pleural space. The recovery time really depends on the size and severity, but we've seen C.J. McCollum suffer this injury twice in his career; missing just a few weeks each time.

My guess is that Cade sits the two weeks and makes it back with just one or two games left in the regular season. With the 65-game rule now in place and potential exemptions starting at 62-games, Cade will need to suit up for at least one game before the season finishes, in order to just qualify for the exemption.

NBA Championship Odds

Value in Motor City?

If you're reading this as a Detroit Pistons fan, don't worry; the season isn't over. The Pistons have won back to back games without their All-Star point guard, but it's about to get a whole lot tougher.

The Pistons have now won three in a row without Cade but have the 10th toughest remaining schedule.

Detroit has 12 games left and will play the Thunder, Lakers, Timberwolves (twice), Raptors, Magic, Hornets and Hawks. That means eight of their remaining 12 games will be against teams with winning records.

The Pistons have a four game lead on the Celtics for 1st place in the East and a six game lead on the Knicks. They hold the tie-breaker over the Celtics and home court through the Eastern Conference playoffs could be huge for Detroit.

Cade should be back on the floor before the season finishes and I'd expect him near 100% for the start of Round 1. Now do I see value on the Detroit Pistons at 27-1?

Not really, but it has nothing to do with Cade's injury.

This Pistons team is phenomenal and defensively this year they've been special. The problem to me comes up when you're looking for a reliable second scoring option. Jalen Duren is the Pistons' second leading scorer and after him it's a 33-year old Tobias Harris.

Cunningham is the team's only player averaging above 20 points per game this year and without him on the floor the team's offensive rating drops nearly 10-points.

The Pistons are built to compete and I wouldn't be surprised to see them make the Conference Finals; I just don't see them lifting the Larry O'Brien Trophy…this year.

Betting Odds

  • Oklahoma City Thunder (+125)
  • San Antonio Spurs (+550)
  • Boston Celtics (+550)
  • Cleveland Cavaliers (+950)
  • Denver Nuggets (+1000)
  • New York Knicks (+1700)
  • Detroit Pistons (+2700)
  • Minnesota Timberwolves (+4500)
  • Los Angeles Lakers (+4500)

Odds via Lucky Rebel, an industry leader in the sports betting world.

Lucky Rebel Sportsbook logo 4.9/5 Review Rating
Bonus & Benefits
Up to $1,250 + 50 Free Slots Spins
See our review »
$1,250 Welcome Bonus
Bet Live on Your Favorite Sports
Earn More with Rebel Rewards!
Play Now & Claim Bonus »

Looking for More

Get FREE Picks and Props Weekly

Sign up for
THE WEEKENDER NEWSLETTER

Follow me on 'X' @VSaaauce for all my picks and sports takes you didn't ask for! Follow Betting News on 'X' and Twitch and catch us on stream! Betting News is also on TikTok! Follow us for more picks, and news!

Looking for a great promo for a new sportsbook? Check out our reviews of the best sportsbooks.

Varun Sharma
Varun Sharma

You may know me as ‘VSaaauce’. I’ve been a die hard hoops fan my entire life. I’ve been betting on the NBA/NCAAB/NFL/MLB for six years now, each year gaining more and more knowledge about being a profitable handicapper. I’m eager to learn, and eager to pass on everything I’ve gained over the last few years. I started my Twitter page four years ago, and this community makes me so thankful I did. Outside of sports and handicapping, I enjoy traveling, hoopin, a strong espresso and I’m currently studying to obtain my MD. I’m all about the vibes, good vibes only. If that sounds like you, follow me on 'X' @VSaaauce.

This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Betting News makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.