Cade Cunningham Upgraded to Doubtful — Could Return From Collapsed Lung Ahead of Schedule

Cade Cunningham's return from a collapsed lung is ahead of schedule. The Pistons upgraded their MVP candidate from out to doubtful for Monday's game at Orlando — a significant step given the initial two-week timeline.

Cunningham suffered a left lung pneumothorax on March 18 when he dove for a loose ball and collided with Wizards guard Tre Johnson. What was initially called back spasms turned out to be a collapsed lung. The Pistons said the collapse was mild, and there's been optimism he'd return before the playoffs begin April 18.

Detroit has already clinched the No. 1 seed in the East, so there's no pressure to rush him back. But Cunningham is in the thick of the MVP race, and his award eligibility matters. The Pistons' turnaround from worst-to-first has been the story of the season, and getting Cunningham back healthy for the postseason could make them a legitimate title contender.