This is brutal. Just when you thought the Detroit Pistons' 2023-24 season couldn't get any more cursed, news breaks that Cade Cunningham has a collapsed lung. A *collapsed lung*. Not a sprained ankle, not a tweaked hamstring. This isn't just a physical blow; it's a gut punch to a player who's been trying to carry a truly miserable team on his back. He's expected to miss an extended period, which, for a team already staring down the barrel of an NBA record for consecutive losses, feels like a death knell.
Here's the thing: Cunningham was actually playing some of the best basketball of his career, despite the Pistons’ 2-15 record before the news broke. He was averaging 21.0 points and 7.3 assists, showcasing flashes of the franchise player Detroit drafted No. 1 overall in 2021. Remember his 30-point, 12-assist masterpiece against the Hawks on November 14th? Or the 43 points he dropped on the Nuggets, albeit in a loss, on November 19th? Those were glimpses of what the Pistons *could* be, even if those moments were few and far between. Now, those promising individual performances are overshadowed by another serious injury.
**Another Setback for Detroit's Young Star**
Cade's career has been an absolute minefield of injuries. His rookie year, he missed 18 games. Last season, he played just 12 games before a stress fracture in his left shin required surgery, sidelining him for the rest of the campaign. That's two of his first three seasons significantly impacted by major physical issues. It's fair to start wondering about his long-term durability. You can't be a franchise cornerstone if you're constantly in street clothes. The Pistons have invested everything in this kid – a No. 1 pick, the face of the rebuild – and he just can't stay on the court. He’s already missed 60 games in his brief career. That's a huge chunk for a player who’s supposed to be developing into an All-Star.
And honestly, this collapsed lung? It's a rare and scary injury for an athlete. It’s not like he just landed awkwardly. This isn’t a run-of-the-mill basketball injury. It just adds to the growing pile of concerns surrounding Cunningham's ability to withstand the rigors of an 82-game NBA season. How long until fans start to genuinely question if he's the right guy to build around, even with all his talent? They’ve watched him play in only 91 games since he was drafted. That's not enough.
**The Pistons' Spiral Continues**
The Pistons are already a historical mess. They're sitting at 2-15 as of November 28th, on an absurd 14-game losing streak. They haven't won since October 28th against the Bulls, a game where Cunningham actually put up 25 points and 10 assists. This team, under Monty Williams, just can't buy a win. They lost by 20 points to the Pacers on November 24th, then by 19 to the Wizards two nights later. Cunningham's absence will only pour gasoline on an already raging dumpster fire. Without him, who's creating shots? Who's even trying to lead? Killian Hayes? Jaden Ivey? Neither has consistently shown they can run an offense without Cunningham taking the brunt of the pressure.
Here's my hot take: This injury, as devastating as it is, might actually be the final nail in the coffin for Monty Williams in Detroit, even this early in his tenure. Ownership, especially Tom Gores, won't stand for this kind of historical losing. Cunningham's injury provides a convenient, albeit tragic, excuse to hit the reset button again if this losing streak approaches truly embarrassing territory. They’re already on pace to challenge the 2010-11 Cavaliers' 26-game losing streak. Without Cade, they might just break it.
My bold prediction: The Pistons will set a new NBA record for consecutive losses this season. And it won't even be close.