Great news is coming out of Detroit, as the Pistons' franchise cornerstone is set to make his long-awaited return. Star point guard Cade Cunningham is reportedly expected to be back in action for Wednesday night's showdown against the Milwaukee Bucks, according to ESPN's Vincent Goodwill.

This marks the end of an 11-game absence for the dynamic guard, who suffered a collapsed lung on March 17th after a hard collision while diving for a loose ball. After being seen shooting in warmups and upgraded to questionable, it appears the Pistons' leader is finally cleared to run the floor again.

Cunningham's return is a major storyline, not just for the game, but for the culmination of his spectacular breakout season. In his fifth year, he has been nothing short of phenomenal, averaging 24.5 points and a league-second 9.9 assists per game, propelling the Pistons to their first No. 1 seed and Central Division title in nearly two decades.

However, his extended absence carries a significant, league-wide consequence. Due to the NBA's 65-game minimum rule for award eligibility, Cunningham—having played in only 61 games—will be ineligible for individual honors like All-NBA or MVP, despite being a frontrunner before his injury. This reality has reignited the ongoing debate about the rule's impact on star players and major accolades.

Nonetheless, for Pistons fans and the team's playoff aspirations, having their primary playmaker and closer back on the court is the ultimate prize. His return against a powerhouse like Milwaukee is a perfect, high-stakes stage to shake off the rust and prepare for a deep postseason run.