Pistons' Cade Cunningham ruled out of MVP race due to injury

Bettors who placed wagers on Cunningham to win the NBA's top individual honor will be out of luck.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:16pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball player in fragmented, overlapping planes of blue, red, and white, representing the disappointment of Cade Cunningham's injury and missed chance at the NBA MVP award.An artistic interpretation of Cade Cunningham's injury and missed opportunity for NBA MVP honors this season.Today in Detroit

Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham has been ruled out of contention for the NBA's Most Valuable Player award this season due to a collapsed lung that will keep him sidelined for at least another week. Representatives from major sports betting sites DraftKings and FanDuel confirmed that any wagers placed on Cunningham to win MVP will be voided, as he is no longer eligible for the award.

Why it matters

Cunningham was a popular preseason MVP pick after a breakout rookie campaign, and bettors likely placed significant wagers on the young star. His injury and subsequent ineligibility for the award will result in lost bets and disappointment for fans and gamblers who were hoping to cash in on Cunningham's potential MVP run.

The details

Cunningham, the Pistons' 2021 first overall draft pick, has been sidelined with a collapsed lung since late March. While he is progressing in his recovery, he will not be able to return to the court in time to meet the NBA's eligibility requirements for the MVP award.

  • Cunningham suffered the collapsed lung injury in late March 2026.
  • He is expected to be out for at least another week as he continues his recovery.

The players

Cade Cunningham

The Detroit Pistons' 2021 first overall draft pick, who was a popular preseason MVP candidate before suffering a collapsed lung injury.

DraftKings

A major sports betting site that operates in Michigan and confirmed Cunningham's ineligibility for the MVP award would void any related wagers.

FanDuel

Another major sports betting site that operates in Michigan and confirmed Cunningham's ineligibility for the MVP award would void any related wagers.

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The takeaway

Cunningham's injury and subsequent ineligibility for the MVP award is a major disappointment for Pistons fans and bettors who were hoping to see the young star compete for the league's top individual honor. This serves as a reminder that even the most promising players can face unexpected setbacks, and that sports betting carries inherent risks.