The Eastern Conference's best team will be without its best player for multiple weeks.

Detroit Pistons superstar Cade Cunningham has reportedly been diagnosed with a collapsed lung and will be sidelined for an extended period of time.

Cunningham's condition is reportedly considered mild, and the Pistons (49-19) are hopeful he'll be ready to return in time for the play-offs, which begin April 18.

The severity of the injury was revealed by Shams Charania of ESPN on Thursday.

Just in: Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham has been diagnosed with a collapsed lung and is expected to miss an extended period of time, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/JIHABIIOY5

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 19, 2026

Cunningham, 24, has been instrumental to Detroit's rise to the top of the East, where it owns a 3 1/2-game lead over the Boston Celtics with 14 contests to play.

The fifth-year guard has been mentioned in conversations for league MVP, ranking 13th in the NBA in scoring (24.5 per game) and second in assists (9.9) while shooting 34.6 per cent on 3-pointers.

The Pistons, though, have found success without Cunningham this season, going 5-2 in games he has missed.

They also defeated the Washington Wizards 130-117 on Tuesday, in a game Cunningham exited in the first quarter after diving for a loose ball.

The team announced in the second period he would not return due to back spasms, and it's uncertain if that injury is related to his current ailment.