The Pistons have issued updates on a trio of injured players, making the following announcements on Saturday (Twitter link):
Forward Tobias Harris has been diagnosed with a left hip sprain and will be reevaluated in two weeks.- Center Jalen Duren has a sprained right ankle and will be reevaluated in one week.
- Guard/forward Caris LeVert remains day-to-day due to right knee inflammation, but won’t travel to Cleveland for Sunday’s game vs. the Cavaliers as he continues to receive treatment.
The timeline for Harris, who already missed Thursday’s contest against Miami, suggests he’ll remain sidelined for a minimum of five more games, starting with intra-conference showdowns against the Cavs on Sunday and the Knicks on Monday. His absence may extend beyond that five-game stretch, since there’s no guarantee he’ll be ready to return when he’s evaluated on January 17.
Harris, 33, has been a full-time starter since arriving in Detroit as a free agent during the 2024 offseason. In 23 games this season, he’s averaging 13.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 27.4 minutes per night, with a .455/.333/.848 shooting line. Due to his expiring $26.6MM contract, the 15th-year forward is considered a potential in-season trade candidate.
While Harris’ recovery period may last longer, Duren’s absence figures to have a greater impact on the Pistons’ lineup in the short term. The 22-year-old is enjoying a breakout season ahead of his restricted free agency in 2026, with averages of 17.9 PPG and 10.6 RPG through his first 31 games (28.4 MPG).
Reigning Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month Isaiah Stewart will likely take on a larger role with Duren out, and Paul Reed is a capable backup too. But Detroit has been much better with Duren on the court (+8.9 net rating) than off it (+2.4) so far this season.
Javonte Green, Jaden Ivey, and Marcus Sasser are a few of the other players who figure to see minute bumps while the Pistons’ injured players get healthy.
Would like to see two full squads play on Monday. Looking like both Knicks n Pistons. Will have to show their bench.
Ivey has played 19 gms and only 16 mins. This doesn’t look right to me. Duncan is not a starter imo. I wonder if they would move Ivey.
He’s coming off a broken fibula, so I think they’re building his stamina and strength up. He’s played 95 minutes last 5 games. Also it was a MAJOR injury. I think if anything they could go after a guy like Keon Ellis as insurance if Ivey is still recovering from his injury.
OK it’s been a year. I thought it was longer. Makes sense. I still wonder If they believe in him and Cade. He’s got plenty of upside still imo.
I loved Ivey coming out of college, I think he’s had a lot of crap to go thru in his first few years in the league. I think a change of scenery would do him well but do they breakup the potential backcourt for Pistons? I think a low-key move would be Ivey for Davion Mitchell. Cade gets a backcourt mate who is defensively better and can handle the ball, Miami would get a younger player in Ivey who wont break the bank for future cap flexibility.
I am not anti Cade and Ivey. I just wonder what Pistons think. They have had success without him. For a team that needs a scoring guard that can handle the rock. I definitely be looking at Ivey.
Wait, the Pistons didnt extend Duren?? Thats crazy
You believe Knicks drafted him.
I did not remember that! Crazy to think about it but the Knicks are doing just fine