Update on Cunningham's Pneumothorax Diagnosis: Potential Opening in All-NBA First Team, Five Stars Could Compete for the Spot

On March 20 Beijing time, the Pistons received bad news: their star point guard Cade Cunningham has been diagnosed with pneumothorax and is sidelined indefinitely. Currently, the Pistons lead the Eastern Conference with a 49-19 record, largely thanks to Cunningham's performance averaging 24.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 9.9 assists per game, which has kept the team atop the standings.

This season, Cunningham has already played 61 games, meeting the minimum requirement. With 14 games remaining for the Pistons, he needs to play 4 more to fulfill the 65-game eligibility criteria for awards like MVP and All-NBA teams. If physically possible, Cunningham will try to reach 65 games, but the possibility of him not returning timely must be considered. Historically, some pneumothorax patients missed only 7 games, while others were out for 12; Cunningham's return timeline likely falls within this range.

If this 24-year-old guard ultimately fails to meet the criteria, it means an All-NBA First Team spot will become vacant. Previously, it was widely believed Cunningham would lock up a First Team spot alongside Alexander, Jokic, and Wembanyama. With Doncic's recent hot streak and the Lakers' strong performance, this season's league scoring leader is also essentially guaranteed a First Team position.

U.S. media analysis suggests that if Cunningham cannot meet the conditions, five stars are most likely to compete for this final, position-unrestricted First Team spot:

1. Jaylen Brown | Celtics

There is already considerable belief that Brown could even rank ahead of Doncic. Celtics wing Jaylen Brown has excelled this season, leading the team to a steady Eastern Conference second-place standing while Jayson Tatum missed most games due to an Achilles tear. Averaging 28.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.0 steals per game, he has proven he can carry the team solo as a top-tier core.

With the Celtics' strong record, his personal stats, and his status as one of the league's rare truly elite two-way players, he fully deserves this spot. Concerns about Tatum's return to the starting lineup affecting his output are unfounded, as Brown's performance hasn't significantly declined in the six games since Tatum's comeback.

Brown was already a strong candidate alongside Cunningham for First Team; Cunningham's absence essentially makes Brown's selection this season indisputable.

2. Anthony Edwards | Timberwolves

In the fiercely competitive Western Conference, Anthony Edwards has carried the Timberwolves alone, averaging 29.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, despite being nearly every opponent's primary defensive target this season. Edwards has grown into a top-tier scorer in the league, especially with his improved three-point shooting directly fueling his scoring surge.

He is having his best career season and is also a high-level defender, deserving a First Team spot. Unfortunately, the Timberwolves' record needs to stabilize in the top four to give Edwards stronger leverage over Brown. Their roles are similar, but the Timberwolves' defensively-oriented roster structure places a much heavier offensive burden on Edwards.

Throughout his six-year career, Edwards has never been selected to an All-NBA First Team, and this season is his most promising chance.

3. Jalen Brunson | Knicks

The Knicks' Eastern Conference third-place record disappoints many, but anyone watching knows the issue isn't Jalen Brunson. This 29-year-old guard averages 26.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game, leading the Knicks' offense under the new head coach with a style drastically different from the Thibodeau era.

Brunson shows strong adaptability, often securing wins for the Knicks with his scoring ability. As a smaller guard, his defense is underestimated; though occasionally targeted, he remains a net-positive defender overall.

Unless the Knicks clinch the Eastern Conference top spot, Brunson would struggle to compete for a First Team spot, but his performance this season gives him a real chance. If the Knicks capitalize on the Pistons' potential slide to erase a five-game gap and seize the East's top seed, Brunson's case becomes self-evident.

4. Donovan Mitchell | Cavaliers

Over recent years, Donovan Mitchell has consistently been among the top regular-season guards yet often overlooked. He earned his first All-NBA First Team selection last season, but the Cavaliers' 42-27 record placing them fourth in the East this season hampers his chance to repeat. He averages 28.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists this season.

If someone must replace Cunningham, Mitchell is a fitting candidate. He is one of the league's most consistent two-way guards this season; the Cavaliers' early struggles stemmed more from systemic issues than Mitchell individually. The Harden trade improved this, and the Cavaliers have been hot since the trade deadline.

If this momentum continues and Mitchell maintains his efficient star-level play, he will be hard for voters to ignore.

5. Kawhi Leonard | Clippers

If considering pure stats and on-court impact alone, some argue Leonard's importance to the Clippers surpasses that of the above players to their teams. This season, the Clippers are 4-11 without Leonard; this 34-year-old forward has played 54 games, averaging a career-high 28.2 points plus 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists.

Leonard also risks not meeting the games played threshold; if he reaches the 65-game mark, he retains eligibility for All-NBA First Team consideration.

Based on on-court impact and individual performance, he fully deserves a First Team spot, but if the Clippers end up only in play-in territory, his First Team chances become uncertain.