When news of Cade Cunningham’s collapsed lung hit the wire three weeks ago, it seemed a season-altering development for one of the best stories in the NBA. Cunningham was playing at an MVP level and in the process of leading the Pistons to the end of their best season in decades. But then he suffered an injury that seemed both scary and severe in equal measure, leading to an outpouring of concern for Cunningham’s health and hand-wringing that Detroit would be without its leading man for the most important games of the year.
But as time went on, more reasons for optimism surfaced. Reports said the organization felt good about the idea Cunningham would return for the playoffs. Then his status was upgraded from out to doubtful over the weekend. And then, on Wednesday, it happened—Cunningham was cleared to return. He’d take the floor against the Bucks for the first time since March 17 with a few games yet before the playoffs begin. The sigh of relief out of the 313 was undoubtedly heard for miles.
