Cade Cunningham Talks Return from Collapsed Lung as Pistons Star Has Double-Double in Win

Cade Cunningham wasted no time returning to form with a double-double during Wednesday's win over the Milwaukee Bucks in his first game back since March 17, and he opened up about the process of recovering from the collapsed lung that sidelined him.

"It was different than any injury I've ever had, as far as how it progressed initially from whenever I got hit to how I felt immediately to how I started to feel as time went on," the Detroit Pistons star told reporters.

"Just thanks to all the staff and medical that was around and helped me through that time. I was kind of beat up and panicking a lot just with what I was feeling. They helped get me comfortable and they helped me get through that."

He also said there was "a lot of resting" when he was out before adding, "It was fun to be able to watch from a different perspective like that. I think I learned a lot. Watching the team grow the way they did and handle business the way they did was a lot of fun."

Cunningham didn't show many signs of rust during Wednesday's 137-111 victory and finished with 13 points, 10 assists and five rebounds on 6-of-11 shooting in just 26 minutes of action.

The efficiency helped the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed seize control in the early going, and it never looked back on the way to yet another victory.

Bucks-Pistons Highlights

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If Detroit is going to parlay its spot atop the conference standings into a deep playoff run, it will need Cunningham to be as effective as he was before the injury. He leads the team in points (24.5) and assists (9.9) per game and is also third in rebounding (5.6) and second in steals (1.5).

His ability to impact the game in a number of ways is a major reason the Pistons have already clinched the No. 1 seed, and his presence makes life easier for his teammates because of his facilitating and the defensive attention he draws from opponents.

Detroit finishes the regular season with a Friday matchup against the Charlotte Hornets and Sunday game against the Indiana Pacers.

It wouldn't be a surprise if it attempts to ramp up his minutes a bit more in each contest so he is better prepared to hit the ground running once the playoffs arrive. After all, he will need to be dialed in throughout the postseason if the team is going to accomplish its goals.