Cade Cunningham Suffers Mild Collapsed Lung, Team to Reevaluate in Two Weeks

Detroit Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham, 24, suffered what the team confirmed was a mild collapsed lung in Tuesday night’s game against the Washington Wizards. The injury appeared when he dove for a loose ball in the first quarter; he tried to play through it but was soon removed.

It was initially thought to be back spasms. The Pistons confirmed the diagnosis Thursday morning and said Cunningham will be reevaluated in two weeks. ESPN notes the team is still gathering information and that the injury could sideline him for at least a few weeks.

A collapsed lung, or pneumothorax, happens when air collects between the chest wall and the lung, pressing on the lung and causing a partial or full collapse. It can occur spontaneously from abnormal air pockets or as the result of trauma. Treatment options include oxygen therapy, needle evacuation between the ribs, chest tube drainage to re-expand the lung, and chemical pleurodesis.

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