The Detroit Pistons are gearing up for a challenging matchup against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night, but they will be without several key players, as their injury report continues to grow. With multiple core members likely sidelined, the Pistons face an uphill battle.
Absent from Wednesday’s lineup will be guards Marcus Sasser and Jaden Ivey. Ivey is expected to undergo an evaluation soon after having a minor procedure on his knee at the end of the preseason. Sasser is dealing with a hip impingement, and it appears he will not make his debut for at least another month.
Additionally, forward Tobias Harris has been plagued by ankle issues since November 1, when he played 35 minutes against the Dallas Mavericks, scoring 11 points and grabbing six rebounds. Unfortunately, he was ruled out for the subsequent games and is set to miss his sixth consecutive contest on Wednesday night.
Ausar Thompson, who was a key contributor for the Pistons, is also expected to sit out as he tries to recover from a recent ankle setback. After his 33 minutes of play against the Philadelphia 76ers on November 9, he was ruled out for the following game against the Washington Wizards, marking his first absence of the season.
The team remains hopeful regarding Isaiah Stewart, who is listed as doubtful due to an ankle sprain. If he doesn’t take the court, it will mark his third game missed in a row.
The Pistons are also keeping a close eye on their star players Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren, both of whom are questionable for the game. Cunningham is battling a hip contusion, while Duren is nursing an ankle sprain. Together, they have formed one of the most effective guard-center duos in the league this season, and their absence would significantly impact the Pistons’ chances to secure a win.
With tip-off scheduled for 7 PM ET, the Pistons will need to dig deep to maintain their position in the Eastern Conference and face their rivals amid such injury challenges. Despite these hurdles, it’s an opportunity for other players to step up and showcase their skills. The season is still young, and as the team navigates through this tough period, they remain hopeful for a quick recovery of their injured stars.