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DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 05: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons plays against the New York Knicks at Little Caesars Arena on January 05, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Cade Cunningham is back, and he’s not holding back. After missing 11 games with a collapsed lung, the Pistons‘ star point guard returned to action as Detroit dominated Milwaukee 137-111. After the blowout win, Cunningham opened up about the terrifying reality of what he went through during his recovery.
Speaking after the game, as reported by Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press, Cunningham admitted the injury hit differently from anything he’d experienced before.
“Yeah, it was different than the injury I’ve ever had as far as how it progressed initially from whenever I got hit,” he said, adding that he was genuinely frightened during the early stages.
He revealed he was “panicking a lot,” crediting the medical staff for keeping him grounded and calm through the uncertainty.
Asked Cade about his recovery process: “It was different than any other injury I’ve ever had … I couldn’t get my heart rate up which was boring. My heart rate went up a few times watching the team.”
Cunningham also opened up about the mental grind of recovery. “Couldn’t get my heart rate up, which was boring,” he said. But he found a silver lining in watching his teammates. “My heart rate went up a few times watching the team, which was, you know, but it was fun. It was fun to be able to watch from a different perspective like that.”
He talked about how the forced absence actually deepened his appreciation for the group around him. “I think I learned a lot, and watching the team grow the way they did and handle business the way they did was a lot of fun,” he said.
Cunningham wrapped up on a deeply grateful note, saying: “I’m just thankful for all the support and prayers and everything else in my way. It makes a lot to have all that support and all that love sent to me. So I’m just happy and feel blessed to be back.”
In his return to the floor, Cunningham played a composed 26 minutes, finishing with 13 points on 6-of-11 shooting to go along with a game-high 10 assists.
Jayesh Pagar Jayesh Pagar is a writer at Heavy Sports, covering the New York Knicks and other NBA teams. He brings four years of experience across digital sports media, including NBA, WNBA, college basketball, and college football. He covered as the Knicks beat writer for ONSI and has written for PFSN, Sporting News, and ClutchPoints. More about Jayesh Pagar
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