His MVP campaign may be over, but Cade Cunningham is far from done. He has taken a major step toward returning to the court and keeping his team’s title hopes alive. The Detroit Pistons lacked their star guard’s firepower in a 123–107 loss to the Orlando Magic, but the organization still breathed a collective sigh of relief. Following an extended absence due to a mild collapsed lung suffered on March 17, Shams Charania offered an encouraging update on NBA Today regarding Cunningham’s status for the final stretch of the season and the upcoming Eastern Conference playoffs.

The Pistons upgraded Cunningham to “doubtful” ahead of the Orlando matchup. However, Charania reported, “He’s not going to play tonight, but I’m told he got an on-court workout in today.”

That workout appeared to boost the team’s confidence. The veteran NBA insider also stated that it’s the plan going forward. “He’s going to get one over the next couple of days as well. They’re going to evaluate him every single day.”

As for his return, Charania stated, “Cade Cunningham is getting close to a return to action. There is optimism that he’s gonna be back before the season is over, potentially before the playoffs. They have three games left after tonight, but he is in a return-to-play protocol now.”

Optimism in Detroit is growing, as Cunningham has moved from stationary recovery to active basketball work. The Pistons have already secured the No. 1 seed in the East and are headed to the playoffs for the first time in two decades. While they have held firm without their point guard, Cunningham remains essential to any deep postseason run.

Cunningham’s return matters more than MVP recognition

Averaging 24.5 points and 9.9 assists per game, Cunningham’s standout season placed him firmly in the MVP conversation and elevated Detroit into contender status. However, the injury limited him to 61 games, thus not meeting the 65-game criteria for the end-of-season awards.

While it has made fans enemies of the 65-game rule, Cunningham has stayed focused on the ultimate goal—the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Even in his absence, the Pistons have maintained their momentum with a 57–21 record.

In a surprising show of resilience, Daniss Jenkins has proven critics wrong, showing the team cannot be dismissed. The Pistons have leaned on his playmaking to sustain their half-court efficiency. Center Jalen Duren has also taken on a larger leadership role, contributing both in the locker room and as a scoring presence.

Cunningham’s injury—sustained while diving for a loose ball against the Washington Wizards—initially came with a three-to-six-week recovery timeline. Now past the three-week mark, his return to on-court activity suggests his condition has improved enough for increased intensity.

His eventual return could provide the spark Detroit needs heading into the playoffs. However, ensuring there are no setbacks during this ramping-up phase is crucial.

Even a brief appearance before the postseason would offer a timely boost for a team aiming to end its long championship drought.