Cade Cunningham injury update leaves Pistons facing unexpected situation
Daniss Jenkins locked in a standard NBA contract back on Feb. 8, and it seemed like a turning point. But the weeks that followed did not go as smoothly as expected.
His play dipped, and doubts started creeping in about whether he could handle the jump. Tuesday night against the Washington Wizards changed that narrative. Cade Cunningham went down with what looked like back spasms, and Jenkins delivered one of his best performances of the year.
MORE: NBA could start process to award franchises to these two cities next week Detroit got a reminder of what the guard can do when his number gets called. The problem now is that Jenkins might have to keep doing it for a while. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Cunningham is expected to miss an extended period after suffering a collapsed lung, leaving Detroit to adjust quickly.
Cunningham’s injury took a turn nobody saw coming. He left Tuesday’s game after just five minutes and six points, the result of a collision during a loose ball scramble in the first quarter. At the time, it was labeled as back spasms, and Cunningham even tried to tough it out before the team shut him down.
The diagnosis that came later hit harder than anyone anticipated. MORE: ‘Shark Tank’ star rocks ultra rare NBA card necklace at 2026 Oscars Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham looks on during the first half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.