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Cade Cunningham Injured, Pistons Face Depth Crisis

3/18/2026

48 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Cade Cunningham exited Pistons' March 17 game against Wizards with back spasms after five minutes.
The injury occurred while diving for a loose ball, resulting in a hard fall, and Bickerstaff said there was no postgame information.
Cunningham has played 60 games this season, averaging 24.9 points, 10.1 assists, and 5.6 rebounds.
The Pistons, leading the Eastern Conference at 49-19, will rematch the Wizards on March 19, heightening depth concerns.

History

Historical Context

In 1985, the NBA faced a significant injury crisis when New York Knicks star Bernard King ruptured his ACL, sidelining him for two seasons after averaging 26.3 points per game. This incident highlighted the fragility of player health in professional sports, a concern echoed today as Cade Cunningham's recent back spasms raise questions about the Detroit Pistons' playoff prospects in the Eastern Conference.

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Story summary

Cade Cunningham exited Pistons' March 17 game against Wizards with back spasms after five minutes.
The injury occurred while diving for a loose ball, resulting in a hard fall, and Bickerstaff said there was no postgame information.
Cunningham has played 60 games this season, averaging 24.9 points, 10.1 assists, and 5.6 rebounds.
The Pistons, leading the Eastern Conference at 49-19, will rematch the Wizards on March 19, heightening depth concerns.

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