Cade Cunningham Could Return for Playoffs — Pistons Optimistic on Collapsed Lung Recovery

The best team in the Eastern Conference might be getting its best player back at the perfect time.

Shams Charania reports there's growing optimism that Cade Cunningham will return before the end of the regular season, with the Pistons targeting a comeback ahead of the April 18 playoff opener. Cunningham has been sidelined since March 17 after suffering a collapsed lung in a collision with Tre Johnson during a game against the Wizards.

The bad news: with only six games left, Cunningham will fall short of the 65-game threshold needed for end-of-season awards — a brutal blow for an MVP-caliber season. The good news: Detroit is 55-21 and sitting atop the East even without him. If Cunningham can get healthy and ramp up before the postseason, this Pistons team goes from dangerous to terrifying. A 55-win Pistons team with a healthy Cade? The East should be worried.