Stop! Cunningham's lung collapsed! NBA's top draft pick sidelined indefinitely

What? How did this happen?

So sudden, it feels like the sky has fallen.

Insider Shams:Cunningham diagnosed with pneumothorax (lung collapse), expected to miss a significant period.

Cunningham, born September 25, 2001, is a tall point guard at 6'6" with a wingspan of 7'0". As the No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft, he has led the Pistons to a 49-19 record this season, placing them atop the Eastern Conference and making them a championship contender, bringing Detroit closer to the summit once again.

For Cunningham himself, this season he averages 24.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 9.9 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, with shooting percentages of 46.1%, 34.6%, and 81.4%. He was recently selected as an Eastern Conference starter for this year's NBA All-Star Game and is also an MVP candidate.

Now with Cunningham sidelined indefinitely, Pistons' core center Duren will shoulder the responsibility. This 22-year-old powerhouse averages 19 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game in 27.8 minutes this season, with a 64.2% field goal percentage ranking third in the league, and he also made the All-Star team this year.

However, it must be acknowledged that with Cunningham's unexpected absence, the Pistons may withdraw from the championship race, unless he can fully recover and return before the playoffs begin.

Because the return timeline for the star player of their biggest Eastern Conference rival is uncertain, the Celtics, led by Tatum, naturally become the new top championship favorite in the East, currently ranking second with a 46-23 record.

In the six games since Tatum's return, they are 5-1, with Tatum averaging 20.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1.2 steals in 29.3 minutes per game, shooting 41.7%, 30.5%, and 88.9%.

Certainly, the Cavaliers with Harden also have aspirations, clearly aiming at least for the Eastern Conference Finals. They currently rank fourth in the East with a 42-27 record, trailing the third-place Knicks by 2.5 games.

“When one whale falls, myriad lives arise”

The Pistons' sudden mishap has prompted potential contenders to watch eagerly, leading to a major reshuffle in the Eastern Conference landscape.