Cade's season-ending scare
Cade Cunningham suffered a collapsed lung and is likely done for the regular season, a major blow to Detroit's lineup as other rotation players are also flagged with serious injuries. Reports pair his injury with concerns about Lauri Markkanen (ankle/hip) and Michael Porter Jr. (ankle/hamstring) for the rest of the year. (x.com)
The Pistons’ official medical update says Cunningham will be re-evaluated in two weeks after further testing, establishing the team’s first concrete checkpoint in his recovery timeline. (nba.com) He is averaging 24.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 9.9 assists per game this season, numbers that have him among the league’s statistical leaders. (nba.com) ESPN’s reporting notes Cunningham’s absence would cost Detroit at least eight regular-season games from the current calendar, and the Pistons’ schedule shows the regular season concludes on April 12. (espn.ph) Utah’s Lauri Markkanen underwent an MRI that revealed a symptomatic right-hip impingement with associated inflammation and a bone bruise and will be re-evaluated in two weeks; imaging on a twisted ankle reportedly came back clean. (espn.com) Brooklyn’s Michael Porter Jr. had an MRI that showed a left hamstring strain, will be re-evaluated in two to three weeks, and had already missed time this month with a sprained right ankle while averaging a career-high 24.2 points per game. (nba.com) All three clubs have set two- to three-week re-evaluation windows for their injured stars, timelines that overlap with the final weeks of the regular season and could therefore determine whether each player returns before April 12. (nba.com)
