As the Detroit Pistons prepare for their Friday night game against the Brooklyn Nets, the team announced that key reserve Caris LeVert has been downgraded due to left knee soreness. This injury leaves him questionable for the upcoming road matchup in Brooklyn.
The Pistons’ injury report highlights several players currently sidelined: LeVert (left knee soreness; questionable), Tobias Harris (right ankle sprain; out), Marcus Sasser (right hip impingement; out), and Jaden Ivey (right knee arthroscopy; out).
LeVert’s injury woes have been evident since the start of the season. He struggled to find his rhythm during the opening game against the Chicago Bulls, where he scored eight points in 21 minutes but subsequently missed the next three games. His brief return for the October 29 matchup against the Orlando Magic saw him play only 15 minutes, where he scored just four points on a poor shooting night, making only 1 of 5 attempts from the field.
Thus far in the season, LeVert has averaged 18.8 minutes a game, contributing 6.2 points while shooting 36 percent overall and a mere 30 percent from three-point range. The Pistons had hoped LeVert would step up as a reliable contributor, especially after the loss of Malik Beasley and Dennis Schroder, who were key to the team’s bench performance last season. Beasley’s potential return was complicated by a gambling investigation, prompting the Pistons to secure LeVert with a multi-year contract during the opening of free agency.
Despite LeVert’s struggles, the Pistons have found success as a team. With a solid record of 6-2, they are currently just behind the Chicago Bulls (6-1) in the standings. The upcoming game against the Nets, which is set to tip off at 7:30 PM ET, will serve as part of the NBA Cup group stage, adding extra significance to the matchup.
The Pistons are proving to be resilient, demonstrating strong team chemistry and performance even while facing challenges with key players. As they aim to extend their positive start to the season, the health and contributions of players like LeVert will be pivotal moving forward.