Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham has been diagnosed with a collapsed lung and faces an extended spell on the sidelines.
The collapse is considered mild, according to reports, and the Pistons are still assessing how long Cunningham will be unavailable.
There is some optimism that the two-time All-Star could return in time for the start of the NBA playoffs, which begin on April 18.
Cunningham, 24, left Tuesday’s game against the Washington Wizards in the first quarter with what the team initially described as back spasms.
He appeared to sustain the injury while diving for a loose ball before being removed from the game midway through the opening period.
The diagnosis is a significant blow to the Pistons, who entered Thursday with the best record in the Eastern Conference at 49-19, sitting three and a half games clear of the surging Boston Celtics.
Cunningham has been among the leading candidates in the NBA MVP race, averaging 24.5 points and 9.9 assists per game this season – the second-highest assists average in the league.
His absence also carries implications for individual award eligibility. Cunningham has played 61 games this season, putting him just short of the 65-game threshold required to qualify for the MVP award, All-NBA teams and Defensive Player of the Year consideration.
