DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons are in the middle of a rare stretch of four days without having to play a game midseason.
It couldn’t have come at a much better time as the Pistons were burdened by injuries in their last few games.
They took a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers down three starters and missing their top defensive player, but the time off is looking positive for when the schedule picks back up on Thursday against the Phoenix Suns.
Forward Tobias Harris, center Jalen Duren and defensive anchor Isaiah Stewart were all back at practice on Tuesday at the Pistons’ Performance Center. Harris missed the last five games due to a hip injury, Duren has been out four games with an ankle sprain and Stewart was absent on Saturday due to an illness.
This is Detroit’s longest period of rest outside a five-day gap during the NBA Cup knockout rounds in the second week of December — and it was much-needed.
“It was good for us. It was similar to the in-season tournament towards the back end of that when we had those days off, so we kind of have a template for it,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “But it was an opportunity for our guys to get rest. We obviously had a bunch of guys banged up, but a bunch of guys to get rest and then as a group, an opportunity to get practice time in, which is nothing better than this time of year.”
Guard Cade Cunningham, who missed the last two games with a wrist injury, was seen at the facility during the open portion of practice, but his participation in practice has not been confirmed.
The Pistons were running thin, particularly in the front court, the last few games. They had to turn to two-way big man Tolu Smith for his longest run of the season against the Clippers. He had a decent performance, but shot just 1-of-7 from the field.
With a tough stretch coming up, getting back to their regular scoring output from the front court would be a major boost to the Pistons.
“I feel good now. I hated sitting out, even though it wasn’t that long. You just never want to be the guy watching from the sideline,” Duren said. “It felt good to be back. Had a good practice today, got up and down with the guys, got some good bump, got to feel my legs up under me.”
The Pistons (28-10) host the Suns (24-15) Thursday night at Little Caesars Arena in the team’s first matchup of the season. Phoenix is led by Michigan native Devin Booker this year, averaging 25.3 points and 6.4 assists per game.