Jaden Ivey
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Jaden Ivey of the Detroit Pistons has been on the sidelines since January 1st.
The Detroit Pistons are off to a terrific start to the season, and they are about to get a major boost once Jaden Ivey returns. Ivey is inching closer to playing his first game since January 1.
According to the Pistons’ official public relations account on X, Ivey has been assigned to the Motor City Cruise in the NBA G League. It’s another big step for the 23-year-old guard, who finally took part in his first shooting drill on November 14.
Ivey’s initial injury was a broken fibula after then-Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony collided with his leg during a loose ball on January 1. He underwent surgery and missed the rest of the season. He was cleared to participate in training camp and even played in the Pistons’ first preseason game against the Memphis Grizzlies.
However, Ivey felt discomfort in his right knee after 14 minutes on the court. He immediately underwent arthroscopic surgery on October 16 and was ruled out for at least four weeks, as reported by the Detroit Free Press.
It’s been nearly five weeks since the surgery, so his initial recovery timeline was off. But with his rehab stint in the G League, it’s only a matter of time before he gets cleared to play in the regular season. ESPN has listed his estimated return date as November 24 against the Indiana Pacers.
Pistons Dominating Without Ivey
Despite the absence of Jaden Ivey, coach J.B. Bickerstaff has the Detroit Pistons off to a 13-2 start. They are on an 11-game winning streak, entering their next game on November 22 against the Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Milwaukee Bucks.
Ivey isn’t the only player to be sidelined during the Pistons’ scorching campaign. Cade Cunningham missed three games, Jalen Duren has been absent twice, and key players like Tobias Harris, Isaiah Stewart and Ausar Thompson have been sidelined for the majority of their streak.
Cunningham is knocking on the door of superstardom, with Duren starting to get noticed as a potential first-time All-Star and possible Most Improved Player winner. Even Bickerstaff is an early candidate for Coach of the Year.
Bickerstaff Has a Good Problem Upon Ivey’s Return
In addition to the team’s overall performance, one player who thrived in the absence of Jaden Ivey is second-year guard Daniss Jenkins. The 24-year-old guard has carved out a role under coach J.B. Bickerstaff while on a two-way contract.
Jenkins is averaging 11.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.5 steals per game on 49.5% shooting from the field and 44.8% from beyond the arc. Brady Fredericksen of SB Nation’s Detroit Bad Boys called Ivey’s impending return a “good problem” for Bickerstaff to have.
“Ivey and Jenkins are different players. Jenkins is more point than shooting guard. He’s not a pure point guard, but he runs the offense and can score when he has the opportunity. I think he fits perfectly off the bench and should fill a role similar to what Dennis Schroder occupied last season. Ivey is different. He’s an aggressor, an attacking guard who can score,” Fredericksen wrote.
FanSided’s Matt Moore added that at least two personnel from the Pistons are asking questions regarding the future of Ivey in Detroit. He wasn’t signed to a rookie max extension, which was already decided before Jenkins’ breakout start to his sophomore year.