NBA In-Season Tournament is doing what it intended. Now things should heat up
There was no shortage of reasons why the NBA In-Season Tournament was put together. And the benefits are already clear.NOVEMBER 21, 2023
DETROIT PISTONS 8-11 ยท 8TH IN EASTERN CONFERENCE
8-11 ยท 8TH IN EASTERN CONFERENCE
Next Game at Grizzlies ยท Thu 1:00AM
Killian Hayes - Plays season-low 14 minutes Hayes closed with zero points (0-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt), two assists and two steals across 14 minutes during Monday's 107-103 loss to the Nuggets.
Impact Hayes played in Monday's contest with padding to help protect his sprained left shoulder, but it's unclear how much the injury impacted Hayes workload. No setback was reported, so it's possible that Hayes is beginning to get phased out of Detroit's rotation. He has averaged just 4.8 points in 21.0 minutes per game over his last four contests. Hayes' usage in Friday's upcoming contest against Indiana will help shed light on his role.
NOVEMBER 21, 2023 โข ROTOWIRE
Isaiah Livers - Clears 20 minutes in debut Livers (ankle) recorded six points (1-7 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds and one assist in 23 minutes in Monday's 107-103 loss to the Nuggets.
Impact Though Livers wasn't able to find his shooting touch anywhere but the free-throw line, the fact that he received more than 20 minutes in his season debut bodes well for his chances of holding down a rotation spot for at least the short term. The Pistons' wing and frontcourt ranks will become more crowded when Jalen Duren (ankle) and Bojan Bogdanovic (calf) are back in action, so Livers appears more likely to see his playing time decrease than increase once Detroit draws closer to full strength.
NOVEMBER 21, 2023 โข ROTOWIRE
Isaiah Stewart - Top rebounder in double-double Stewart posted 11 points (4-8 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist and two blocks across 35 minutes during Monday's 107-103 loss to Denver.
Impact Stewart led all Pistons in rebounds while finishing as one of five players with a double-digit point total in a double-double performance in a losing effort. Stewart has tallied a double-double on five occasions this season, including in three of his last five outings.
NOVEMBER 21, 2023 โข ROTOWIRE
Cade Cunningham - Leads offense in defeat Cunningham provided 27 points (7-17 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 11-11 FT), two rebounds, nine assists, one block and three steals over 38 minutes during Monday's 107-103 loss to Denver.
Impact Cunningham was the top scorer and the top distributor for Detroit, finishing one assist short of a double-double while finishing perfect from the free throw line en route to posting the highest point total of any player in Monday's contest. Cunningham has recorded at least 25 points and eight assists in four games this season.
NOVEMBER 21, 2023 โข ROTOWIRE
Marvin Bagley III - Balanced outing in starting lineup Bagley chipped in 18 points (7-13 FG, 4-5 FT), eight rebounds and one assist over 26 minutes during Monday's 107-103 loss to the Nuggets.
Impact Bagley replaced Kevin Knox in the starting lineup against the Nuggets, finishing second on the team in scoring and rebounds while finishing two boards short of a double-double. Bagley has started in five games this season, tallying at least 10 points and five rebounds in four of those contests. Bagley has recorded 18 or more points along with eight or more rebounds on two occasions this year.
NOVEMBER 21, 2023 โข ROTOWIRE
Pistons mailbag: Is Detroit's front office on the hot seat? The Pistons have lost 12 straight. Let's talk about it.
NOVEMBER 21, 2023 โข THEATHLETIC.COM
Nuggets pull off late win over Pistons despite early Nikola Jokic ejection Nov 20, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Reggie Jackson (7) dribbles defended by Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (23) in...
NOVEMBER 21, 2023 โข STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Nuggets pull off late win over Pistons despite early Nikola Jokic ejection Nov 20, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Reggie Jackson (7) dribbles defended by Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (23) in...
NOVEMBER 21, 2023 โข NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Reggie Jackson leads Nuggets past Pistons for 107-103 win after Nikola Jokic ejected
Reggie Jackson scored 21 points and carried Denver in the fourth quarter after two-time MVP Nikola Jokic was ejected in the first half, and the Nuggets handed the Detroit Pistons t...NOVEMBER 21, 2023 โข ASSOCIATED PRESS
3rd Quarter Highlights: Pistons vs Nuggets #detroitpistons #pistons #nba
NOVEMBER 21, 2023 โข YOUTUBE
2nd Quarter Highlights: Pistons vs Nuggets #detroitpistons #pistons #nba
NOVEMBER 21, 2023 โข YOUTUBE
1st Quarter Highlights: Pistons vs Nuggets #detroitpistons #pistons #nba
NOVEMBER 21, 2023 โข YOUTUBE
Kevin Knox II - Back to bench Knox won't start Monday's game against the Nuggets.
Impact After a couple of standout games, Knox was rewarded with back-to-back starts. However, he failed to impress, and the Pistons' small-ball lineup didn't work out. Marvin Bagley is back with the first unit, but as long as Jalen Duren (ankle) is sidelined, Knox should carve out a sizable rotational role. Over his first two appearances of the season, Knox has averaged 11.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 27.5 minutes per game.
NOVEMBER 20, 2023 โข ROTOWIRE
Marvin Bagley III - Back in stating lineup Bagley will start Monday's matchup against the Nuggets.
Impact Bagley operated off the bench the last two games in favor of Kevin Knox, but the former is back in the starting lineup to face Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. As a starter, Bagley has averaged 14.0 points and 6.0 rebounds in 27.5 minutes per game. Jalen Duren (ankle) has been progressing in his rehab, but as long as he's sidelined, Bagley should handle a sizable role in Detroit's frontcourt.
NOVEMBER 20, 2023 โข ROTOWIRE
Killian Hayes - Cleared for Monday Hayes (shoulder) will play Monday against Denver.
Impact Hayes will return after a one-game absence due to a left shoulder sprain. Marcus Sasser will likely see a dip in usage, although it's unclear if Hayes will re-enter the starting lineup over Jaden Ivey.
NOVEMBER 20, 2023 โข ROTOWIRE
Jalen Duren - Won't play Monday Duren (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Nuggets, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic reports.
Impact Duren will miss a fifth consecutive game Monday, but coach Monty Williams provided an encouraging update ahead of the matchup, saying that the center has progressed to 3-on-3 work and is expected to return soon. While Duren will have a few days to recover before the Pistons face Indiana on Friday, it's unclear whether he'll be available for that matchup.
NOVEMBER 20, 2023 โข ROTOWIRE
Isaiah Livers - Available Monday Livers (ankle) is available for Monday's game against the Nuggets, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic reports.
Impact While Livers will face a minutes restriction Monday, he'll be able to make his season debut after missing the start of the year due to a high-ankle sprain. Coach Monty Williams didn't specify the nature of Livers' minutes restriction, but it wouldn't be surprising to see the 25-year-old ramp up his workload in the near future following his lengthy absence.
NOVEMBER 20, 2023 โข ROTOWIRE
Marvin Bagley III - Scores just six points Bagley registered six points (3-4 FG), two rebounds and three assists across 15 minutes during Sunday's 142-113 loss to the Raptors.
Impact Bagley seems to be losing some ground in Detroit, and that's particularly worrying with Jalen Duren (ankle, questionable) possibly returning from a four-game absence on Monday against Denver. Bagley has been held under 16 minutes in two straight games, as the Pistons have utilized some smaller lineups with Kevin Knox at one of the forward spots. James Wiseman saw 24 minutes Sunday against Toronto, but garbage time was certainly a factor in the blowout.
NOVEMBER 20, 2023 โข ROTOWIRE
Marcus Sasser - Produces nine points Sasser notched nine points (4-6 FG, 1-2 3Pt), one rebound, six assists and one steal over 21 minutes during Sunday's 142-113 loss to Toronto.
Impact This was a nice bounce-back performance for Sasser after he scored a combined six points in his previous two contests. The Pistons are finally getting healthier, and it sounds like Killian Hayes (shoulder, probable) is expected to return Monday against Denver, so it won't be easy for Sasser to keep his minutes up.
NOVEMBER 20, 2023 โข ROTOWIRE
Stanley Umude - Breaks out with 19 points Umude amassed 19 points (5-6 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 7-8 FT), four rebounds, three assists and one block over 25 minutes during Sunday's 142-113 loss to the Raptors.
Impact The 19 points mark a new career high for Umude, and he has certainly made the most of his newfound minutes due to a plethora of injuries in Detroit. Killian Hayes (shoulder) was upgraded to probable and Jalen Duren (ankle) was upgraded to questionable for Monday's game against the Nuggets, so it will be interesting to see if Umude can stay relevant.
NOVEMBER 20, 2023 โข ROTOWIRE
Isaiah Livers - Iffy for Monday Livers (ankle) is questionable for Monday's matchup against the Nuggets.
Impact Livers hasn't played yet this season due to a high-ankle sprain. However, he could make his season debut Monday. The Pistons remain shorthanded, so if he's cleared, Livers should be able to carve out a rotational role.
NOVEMBER 20, 2023 โข ROTOWIRE
Monte Morris - Out again Monday Morris (quad) will miss Monday's game against Denver.
Impact Morris hasn't made a single appearance for the Pistons this season, and his timetable remains murky. Morris' next chance to play is Friday against the Pacers.
NOVEMBER 20, 2023 โข ROTOWIRE
Joe Harris - Still out Harris (shoulder) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Nuggets.
Impact Harris will miss an eighth straight game due to a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder. He is due to another evaluation soon but can be considered doubtful, at best, for Friday's matchup in Indiana.
NOVEMBER 20, 2023 โข ROTOWIRE
Jalen Duren - Questionable for Monday Duren (ankle) is questionable for Monday's game against the Nuggets.
Impact Duren has missed the past four games for Detroit, but the questionable tag suggests that he's now day-to-day. His potential return would provide a huge boost for the Pistons with Nikola Jokic on the schedule Monday. The Pistons have been relying on Kevin Knox in smaller lineups in Duren's absence at the expense of Marvin Bagley, so it will be interesting to see how the rotation shapes up.
NOVEMBER 20, 2023 โข ROTOWIRE
