DETROIT — Guard Jaden Ivey will be out of the Detroit Pistons’ lineup at least four weeks following an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee, the team announced Thursday.
Ivey had the procedure to relieve knee discomfort. The Pistons said it was unrelated to the broken left fibula Ivey suffered in his 30th game of last season.
He will begin rehab on the knee and will be re-evaluated in four weeks.
“It is tough for him; that is what you feel more than anything,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “Going through what he went through last year, working his way back, and then having this happen to him, it was frustrating for him. We talked this afternoon, and he just wants to get out on the floor with his guys.”
Ivey is entering his fourth season with the Pistons after being selected with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft out of Purdue. He appeared in 74 and 77 games in his first two seasons, respectively, before last year was cut short by a leg injury.
The 23-year-old has averaged 16.1 points and 4.4 assists per game, and was scoring at a career-best 17.6 points per game, including shooting 40.9% from 3-point range, at the time of his injury.
“I know J.I., he is a resilient person,” Bickerstaff said. “All of these setbacks do not deter him from what his ultimate goal is, and that’s to be a great basketball player and teammate. As difficult as it has been for him and all of us to lose him for these first four weeks, I know he is going to come back better.”
Bickerstaff stated that Ivey’s recent injury occurred while he was trying to work his way back from the broken left fibula he sustained on Jan. 1. He started feeling “something” in his right knee during training camp. The Pistons’ medical team took precautions and did their own assessment, which led to him undergoing the arthroscopic procedure.
Ivey appeared in one game this preseason, registering 13 minutes, seven points and one assist during Detroit’s 128-112 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Oct. 6. His absence leaves a significant vacancy in Detroit’s rotation; however, Bickerstaff believes the Pistons have the players who can keep the team afloat.
“If healthy, we have the guys who can fill that spot,” Bickerstaff said. “Playing with A.T. (Ausar Thompson), having the ball in his hands more. Caris (LeVert) has the ability to do that. I’ve been pleased with Marcus Sasser and how he has been able to help us.
Bickerstaff continued: “We have guys we are confident in, all the way to Daniss (Jenkins). I feel confident that you can put Daniss in a game right now and he can be impactful. We are confident in how we are going to fill it. We just have to come up with the combination that we feel works best.”
Originally Published: October 16, 2025 at 8:15 PM EDT