Cade Cunningham Set to Return Tonight Against Bucks
Detroit enjoyed a landmark week. The Pistons clinched the Eastern Conference’s top seed for the first time in 19 years.
Cade Cunningham’s status and expected return
Pistons star Cade Cunningham missed 11 games after suffering a collapsed lung. He last appeared on March 17 against the Washington Wizards.
He left that game after roughly five minutes. Detroit won that contest 130-117.
Filmogaz.com cites ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill reporting that “Cade Cunningham Set to Return Tonight Against Bucks.” The return is scheduled for Wednesday night.
Team performance without Cunningham
Detroit went 8-3 during the stretch without its leader. The team has a 13-5 record and averaged 114.8 points per game without him.
Those results eased concerns about the lineup’s depth. The Pistons kept momentum while Cunningham recovered.
Season numbers and award eligibility
Cunningham has played 61 games this season. He is averaging 24.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and a career-high 9.9 assists.
With three regular-season games remaining, he likely falls short of the league’s 65-game threshold. That shortfall could affect eligibility for end-of-year awards like MVP.
Playoff implications and franchise context
Detroit’s primary focus is postseason health and readiness. Cunningham’s availability matters more than award considerations.
This marks the Pistons’ first time atop the East since 2007. That 2007 team fell in the Eastern Conference finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers led by a 22-year-old LeBron James.
Last season the Pistons ended a five-year playoff drought with a No. 6 seed. They lost a first-round series in the 2025 playoffs to the New York Knicks, 4-2.
Background on Cunningham’s role
The Pistons selected Cunningham first overall in the 2021 NBA Draft. He came to the NBA from Oklahoma State.
He has been central to Detroit’s resurgence. His return could shape the team’s postseason trajectory.
