Heat-Generating Heavies Lead League Charge This Season
The Pistons' MVP candidate came up grimacing after a collision while diving for a loose ball, and left the game shortly thereafter.
Detroit Pistons superstar Cade Cunningham exited Tuesday’s game against the Washington Wizards with back spasms, and was ruled out for the remainder of the game. Cunningham suffered the injury early in the first quarter while defending Wizards guard Tre Johnson. The Washington rookie lost control of the ball as he tried to spin away from Cunningham, and when both players dove for the ball, Johnson landed on top of Cunningham, who came up grimacing: Cade Cunningham won’t return tonight due to back spasms.
This is the play that took him out pic. twitter. com/Mj5ZHcWL7G — Pistons Talk (@Pistons__Talk) March 17, 2026 He remained in the game for a few minutes, but checked out with 6:40 to go in the opening quarter and headed back to the Pistons locker room .
Midway through the second quarter, the Pistons announced that the two-time All-Star’s night was over: Cade Cunningham (Back Spasms) will not return vs. WAS. — Pistons PR (@Pistons_PR) March 17, 2026 Cunningham finished with six points, two rebounds and a steal in just over five minutes of floor time.
Cunningham, 24, is on pace for his second straight All-NBA selection, and possibly a spot on the MVP ballot, for his work in leading Detroit to the Eastern Conference’s best record. He’s averaging 24. 9 points, 10.