Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons has been sidelined with a collapsed lung for nearly three weeks, but the franchise star and MVP candidate could be making his return against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, April 8.
While a previous injury update on the 24-year-old hinted that he could miss more time, based on new reporting from Shams Charania of ESPN, Cunningham could very well make his return against the Bucks.
The Pistons have only three games remaining on their 2025-26 NBA regular-season schedule, and, as the plan has always been to get Cunningham healthy for the playoffs, a new injury return timeline has emerged that could see him return to the court sooner than expected.
Cade Cunningham Injury Update
GettyDETROIT, MICHIGAN – MARCH 12: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons looks on in the second half while playing the Philadelphia 76ers at Little Caesars Arena on March 12, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan.
Cunningham is officially listed as questionable for Detroit’s upcoming game against Milwaukee.
It comes after he was upgraded from ‘out’ to ‘doubtful’ when the team played the Orlando Magic on Monday, but he didn’t end up playing.
What his upgraded injury status signals is that Cunningham is ramping up for a return. It’s uncertain whether that will happen on Wednesday in the Pistons’ final home game of the season, but now listed as questionable, it’s the biggest status leap Cunningham has taken since originally being ruled out for ‘an extended period’ in mid March.
According to Shams Charania, the star point guard is only getting closer to a return.
“He got an on-court workout in today. He’s going to get another in in the next couple of days as well. They’re going to evaluate him every single day,” Charania said on NBA Today. “Cade Cunningham is getting close on a return to action. There is optimism that he’s gonna be back before the season is over potentially before the playoffs. But he is in a return to play protocol now.”
For now, Cunningham’s official injury status for Wednesday is still uncertain, but since he’s been upgraded, it points to the fact that he could very well make a return against the Bucks.
In 61 games this season, Cunningham is averaging 24.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 9.9 assists on 46.1% shooting. He was previously a top MVP candidate before going out with the injury, but is now ineligible for end-of-season awards.
Detroit Pistons In The Final Week Of The Regular Season
GettyCade Cunningham, Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren of the Detroit Pistons.
As mentioned, Cunningham is officially questionable against Milwaukee.
Along with him, the Pistons have Isaiah Stewart listed on the injury report, now listed as questionable as well, with a calf strain that has sidelined him for nearly four weeks.
While players like Tobias Harris, Duncan Robinson, Caris LeVert, and Jalen Duren have all been on the injury report at some time over the past few games, all are healthy and set to play against the Bucks on Wednesday.
Additionally, more good news for Detroit is that they have clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time in 19 years. The Pistons are 57-22 with a three-game lead over the Boston Celtics, also holding the tiebreaker over them.
Despite playing without Cunningham, they have gone 8-3 while he’s been sidelined, in part due to strong play from Duren and Daniss Jenkins, who has become the Pistons’ new starting point guard over the past few weeks. Questions remain about Jenkins’ role when Cunningham returns, but for the time being, he’s been a solid replacement, having a standout performance in his new role.
But as this Detroit team has yet to win a postseason round, it will be tough sledding in the playoffs against other top teams in the East. Regardless, if they can get Cunningham back soon and ready for postseason basketball, as they showed all season, this roster has the chance to be playing games deep into May, and even June in a conference finals or NBA finals appearance.
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