DETROIT — The return of Jaden Ivey after his season-ending injury in January has been long awaited by the Detroit Pistons. The former fifth overall pick was really coming into his own before the guard broke his left fibula midseason.
He made his return to play for the first in over nine months in the Pistons’ preseason opener against the Memphis Grizzlies, going 14 minutes and scoring seven points.
But he’s not been available since and his availability may be up in the air for undisclosed reasons.
“He’s being assessed day-to-day. He was out (of practice) again today,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Wednesday of Ivey. “When we have more information, we’ll share it.”
While Bickerstaff didn’t have any specifics, the Pistons are still easing Ivey back into the swing of things after spending so much time away from the game.
He averaged 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and four assists per game before suffering his injury.
Getting live reps against NBA competition is important for him, but the Pistons are also being cautious with their entire roster to try and maximize health for the beginning of regular season play on Oct. 22.
Star guard Cade Cunningham rested for the third preseason game on Tuesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
As did Ivey, guard Marcus Sasser and veteran wing Caris LeVert.
Sasser played the first two preseason game while LeVert played in just the opener. They’re both in similar situations, according to Bickerstaff, in trying to heal up in time for the season opener against the Chicago Bulls.
“They’re just working through some things and we’re just trying to do our best to put them in position to be ready to go when the season starts,” Bickerstaff said. “We don’t want anything nagging now to compound and become worse.”
Sasser is entering his third season in the NBA after posting 6.6 points and 2.3 assists primarily off the bench as the reserve point guard.
A rising 10-year veteran, LeVert was acquired during free agency on a two-year deal and figures to play a frequent role for the Pistons. With two different teams last season, LeVert averaged 12.1 points, 3.4 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game on a career-best 46.7% shooting from the field.
Bickerstaff did not indicate whether Cunningham, who carries no injury designation, would play in the team’s preseason finale on Thursday against the Washington Wizards. When asked if it was safe to say Cunningham was finished for preseason, Bickerstaff responded “nothing is safe to say.”
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