Isaiah Stewart
Getty
Isaiah Stewart serves as the enforcer for the Detroit Pistons.
The Detroit Pistons will be without a key frontcourt presence for the foreseeable future after coach J. B. Bickerstaff confirmed that Isaiah Stewart is sidelined indefinitely with a left calf strain.
Bickerstaff said the injury had been building for some time and worsened during Detroit’s previous game, prompting the team to take a cautious approach with the 24-year-old big man.
“It’s something he’s been dealing with. It just had been getting worse,” Bickerstaff said, via Detroit Press’ Omari Sankofa II, before Detroit’s matchup with the Toronto Raptors. “He gutted it out last game and I think you could see he was favoring it late… It’s something we’re going to take time with.”
Stewart’s absence leaves a gap in Detroit’s interior rotation, particularly on the defensive end, where his rim protection and physicality have been central to the team’s identity.
Stewart Has Been Key Defensive Presence
Isaiah Stewart, Jalen Duren, Pistons
GettyIsaiah Stewart of the Detroit Pistons reacts after a basket with Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren.
Stewart has been one of the Pistons’ most consistent contributors this season.
In 23.1 minutes per game, the 6-foot-8 center has averaged 10.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks, establishing himself as a strong defensive anchor alongside Jalen Duren.
His defensive impact has even sparked conversations about potential All-Defensive Team consideration earlier in the season.
However, the calf injury likely eliminates that possibility.
NBA awards eligibility rules require players to appear in at least 65 games, and Stewart’s indefinite absence makes it unlikely he will reach that threshold.
The injury comes shortly after Stewart returned from a seven-game suspension stemming from a February altercation with the Charlotte Hornets.
He had played seven games since the suspension before the calf issue forced him back out of the lineup.
Pistons Turn to Paul Reed
With Stewart sidelined, Detroit is expected to rely more heavily on reserve big man Paul Reed.
Reed has been productive when called upon this season. In eight games as a starter, he has averaged 13.9 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists, providing energy and versatility in the frontcourt.
Detroit will also continue leaning on Duren to anchor the paint as the team navigates Stewart’s absence.
Raptors Capitalize on Pistons Loss
Stewart’s absence was noticeable Sunday as Toronto controlled the glass in a 119–108 victory over Detroit.
Brandon Ingram led all scorers with 34 points, while RJ Barrett added 27 points and six rebounds to help the Raptors improve to 38–29 and maintain sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
Toronto dominated the boards throughout the game.
Jakob Poeltl delivered a double-double with 21 points and a season-high 18 rebounds, including nine offensive boards. Scottie Barnes added 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The Raptors outrebounded Detroit by a wide margin and generated 30 second-chance points compared to the Pistons’ 15, a disparity that proved decisive.
Pistons’ Strong Start Fades
Detroit opened the game shooting at an exceptional rate, hitting 24 of 37 shots (64.9 percent) in the first half while also making 7 of 11 three-pointers.
But the offense cooled dramatically after halftime.
The Pistons shot just 7-for-26 (26.9 percent) in the third quarter and made only one of seven attempts from three-point range during the period as Toronto seized control.
Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 33 points and nine assists, while Tobias Harris added 21 points.
Duren contributed a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double, but Detroit struggled to contain Toronto’s interior activity without Stewart’s defensive presence.
Detroit Remains Eastern Conference Leaders
Despite the loss, Detroit still holds the best record in the Eastern Conference at 48–19 as the season enters its final stretch.
For Bickerstaff and the Pistons, ensuring Stewart returns fully healthy remains the priority.
With the playoffs approaching, Detroit appears determined to avoid rushing one of its most physical and reliable defenders back onto the court.