Just like the Detroit Pistons got here head to head with the Phoenix Suns Saturday night time, they obtained a lift within the backcourt as veteran guard Jaden Ivey returned to the lineup.
Recently, Ivey has been affected by knee irritation. The issue began simply earlier than the Pistons have been booked in opposition to the Miami Warmth on Monday.
Though Ivey was lacking on the harm report all day earlier than tipoff, the Pistons scratched him from the lineup whereas he was coping with soreness. When the Pistons entered their Thursday night time sport in opposition to the Utah Jazz, Ivey was listed as questionable for the sport. As anticipated, he did not play.
Fortunately for the Pistons, Ivey would not be out for lengthy. When the Pistons and Suns ready for his or her Saturday night time showdown in Arizona, Ivey was upgraded to possible. He lastly bought his twenty sixth begin of the season.
Detroit star Cade Cunningham acknowledged the veteran guard’s return, noting he was a giant motive for his or her win over the Suns on Saturday night time.
“We missed that spark that he has,” Cunningham advised reporters Saturday. “He began off with some offensive rebounds that bought us going. [He] does a ton of fine studying. He was nice.”
Cade on Ivey: “We missed that spark that he has. He began with some offensive rebounds that bought us going, made a ton of fine reads. He was nice.”
-Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) December 22, 2024
Throughout Ivey’s return to motion, he checked in for about half-hour.
The younger veteran took 14 photographs from the sector, making half of his makes an attempt. Out of three, Ivey stopped 4 photographs. He ended up scoring 20 factors, putting second behind Cunningham.
Ivey almost had a triple-double as he produced eight assists and grabbed eight rebounds.
The Pistons defeated the Suns with a 133-125 victory. With the win, Detroit improved to 12-17 on the season. They are going to be again on the court docket Monday night time to face the Los Angeles Lakers. Barring any sudden adjustments, Ivey must be able to play in his second straight sport.
