Detroit Pistons has confirmed that 4 players will be sidelined due to NBA’s Covid-19 health and safety protocol. Let us check the current status of the Pistons roster and how they can perform in upcoming matches.
The NBA 75th season has been in news for the wrong reasons – COVID-19 outbreak within various NBA franchises. Detroit Pistons didn’t face such an issue until now, but the central division team has 5 players out due to the COVID-19 issue now.
NBA’s top pick of the 2021 draft, Cade Cunningham was the first Piston player to enter in COVID-19 protocol. He went into COVID protocol on Wednesday, while on Thursday, the Pistons added starters Killian Hayes and Isaiah Stewart to the list of players in COVID protocols. Also, reserve guards Saben Lee and Rodney McGruder are added to the list. As per the NBA rule all mentioned players will have to serve 10 days isolation unless they produce 2 negative reports within 24 hrs window.
The Pistons were facing Miami Heat on the same night. Trey Lyles reacted to the sudden update “It was kind of blindsiding for us, It happened right before we were coming over to shoot. Guys were unaware if we were going to play or not. Once we finally got here, the guys were ready to play. It just showed that guys are mentally available and ready to play.”
15th place in the Eastern Conference Detroit Piston was at their best even without those 5 players and top scorer Jeremy Grant. The Pistons lost the game 115-112 showing a lot of spirit against Miami.
Following is the complete list of Detroit players sidelined for various reasons.
| Player | Injury / Sidelined for | Expected Return |
| Jeremy Grant | Thumb Injury | 1st February 2022 |
| Kelly Olynyk | Knee | 26th December 2021 |
| Chris Smith | knee | 25th December 2021 |
| Cade Cunningham | Covid-19 Protocol | 29th December 2021 |
| Isiah Livers | Rest | 26th December 2021 |
| Saben Lee | Covid-19 Protocol | 3rd January 2022 |
| Rodney McGruder | Covid-19 Protocol | 3rd January 2022 |
| Killian Hayes | Covid-19 Protocol | 3rd January 2022 |
| Isaiah Stewart | Covid-19 Protocol | 3rd January 2022 |
The Detroit roster looks to have Saddiq Bey, Jamorko Pickett, Frank Jackson, Trey Lyles, Cory Joseph, Hamidou Diallo, Josh Jackson, Luka Garza, and Cheick Diallo available. NBA’s hardship rule will allow the Pistons an additional roster spot. They already have Diallo on a 10-day contract.
Detroit Pistons head coach Casey was not available with the team for personal reasons. Acting head coach Rex Kalamian is keeping a positive attitude over the situation. Kalamian said, “It’s been my experience that when teams are injured, the other guys that step up know they’re going to play a lot of minutes and they know they’re going to get a lot of shots”
He further added “They play a little more freely sometimes, and anything could happen. So, we’re going to take a positive outlook on this into tonight’s game.”
Injured players are scheduled to return till 26th 2021 so the team can play upcoming fixtures with at least 9 available players. Pistons will play 2 games against the Spurs and a game against the Knicks in a space of 10 days until the “COVID-19 protocol” sidelined player can rejoin the team.
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