DETROIT -- Around this time of the NBA season, all teams are dealing with a fair share of roster injuries. Detroit Pistons coach Dwane Casey is very aware of it. After all, injuries have impacted the growth and development of his current unit.
Cade Cunningham only played 12 games due to him requiring season-ending surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left shin. Jalen Duren returned to the lineup two games ago after missing the previous five due to ankle soreness. Marvin Bagley III, a participant in drills with the coaching staff after Wednesday’s practice, is currently out with a right-hand fracture. He’s expected to miss another several weeks.
Even Killian Hayes, who was a “full go” during Wednesday’s practice according to Casey, missed Monday’s game vs. the Milwaukee Bucks due to a left shoulder contusion.
The injury status on those are players are pretty clear. Whose status has been up and down, however, is that of Isaiah Stewart.
Stewart, who missed seven games in November, has been in and out of the Pistons lineup recently. He missed three straight games this month due to left shoulder soreness before returning on Jan. 15 vs. the New York Knicks. While sidelined, Casey said that he didn’t see Stewart’s injury to be a lingering issue and expected him to return soon.
Stewart did indeed return for the Pistons’ game vs. the Knicks, and their following game vs. the Chicago Bulls in Paris, France, but now he’s out again. Like Hayes, Stewart missed Monday’s game vs. the Bucks, once again due to issues with the same shoulder.
On Wednesday after practice, Casey spoke about Stewart’s status when asked if he still feels the same about his left shoulder not being an issue moving forward.
“I don’t think it’s going to be long term. It’s much better,” Casey said “I think they’re going to make sure we’re cautious (on) whether he came back too soon from the last injury.”
“We want to make sure he has an ample amount of time to get it back more closer to one hundred percent. And I could tell guys there’s nobody in the league right now (that’s) a hundred percent. Everybody has some ding.”
One interesting thing that Casey mentioned while discussing Stewart’s shoulder was a twist in previous verbiage when describing it.
When Stewart was out for three games (Jan. 10-Jan.13), Casey -- and the NBA injury report -- described it as left shoulder soreness. However, Casey himself stated that shoulder soreness is one thing, but what Stewart is now dealing with is a left shoulder injury. He did not offer any insight on when Stewart would return, but mentioned that he was an active participant for a portion of Wednesday’s practice.
If Stewart actually ends up missing more time than Casey expects, it will be yet another tough blow for developing his very young team.
Until his recent injury, Stewart was currently playing some of his best basketball since transitioning to a stretch-four. Over a 21-game stretch (Nov. 29-Jan.8), Stewart averaged 11.7 points on 45% shooting from the field and 35% from three-point. He was also chipping in seven rebounds per game.
In his last two games, he averaged 6.5 points, shooting 25% from the field and has missed all three-point attempts (seven).
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