Pistons fans, you can officially exhale. After a tense few weeks, franchise cornerstone Cade Cunningham is expected to return to the lineup Wednesday night against the Milwaukee Bucks, according to ESPN's Vincent Goodwill.
The 2021 first overall pick suffered a scary collapsed left lung in a mid-March win over the Washington Wizards, sidelining him for Detroit's last 11 games. The timing was particularly brutal, threatening to disrupt the rhythm of the Eastern Conference's top seed just before the playoffs.
While the injury understandably raised concerns about his health and award eligibility, the latest update is a massive relief for the contender. Cunningham's dynamic playmaking and scoring are the engine of the Pistons' offense, making his presence critical for a deep postseason run.
His return against the Bucks provides a perfect opportunity to shake off any rust. With roughly three regular-season games left, plus the built-in rest period before the playoffs begin, Cunningham should have ample time to regain his form and conditioning.
For a player and a team that endured such a frightening medical situation, this is about the best-case scenario. Seeing Cunningham back on the court, leading the charge, is the news Detroit has been waiting for.
