J.B. Bickerstaff has one wish for the Detroit Pistons’ preseason finale.
“Healthy,” he said after the team’s practice Wednesday, Oct. 15. “We want to get as many of our guys on the floor as we can and give them an opportunity to play together, get some units together, combinations together that we want to see and we think will be good for us during the season, and try to get to some of those.”
Nagging injuries for core players has made it difficult for the coaching staff to get its desired lineups on the floor through preseason.
Jaden Ivey injury update
Ivey and Caris LeVert both have missed the past two games after appearing in the preseason opener against the Memphis Grizzlies on Oct. 6. Jalen Duren made his exhibition debut in Tuesday’s loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers after missing the first two games.
Thursday’s preseason finale at home against the Washington Wizards is their final opportunity to organize rotations before they open the season on the road against the Chicago Bulls next Wednesday. Their projected starting lineup — Cade Cunningham, Ivey, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris and Duren — has yet to play together in a preseason game.
“They’re just working through some things,” Bickerstaff said of Ivey and LeVert. “We’re just trying to do our best to put them in position to be ready to go when the season starts, so we don’t want anything that’s nagging now to compound and become worse.
“He’s being assessed day-to-day,” he added on Ivey. “He was out again today. We’ll have more information.”
Ivey was rusty in his lone preseason game, understandable considering the fourth-year guard hadn’t played in the NBA in nine months after breaking his left fibula on New Year’s Day. But it didn’t look like he lost any of his trademark speed in the 128-112 win over the Grizzlies, finishing with seven points and an assist in 14 minutes.
Ausar Thompson ball-handling
His absence has given Ausar Thompson more opportunity to handle the ball, which Bickerstaff wants him to do more this season regardless of who’s on the floor. Thompson’s possessions at point guard have been a mixed bag, particularly in half-court situations that require a tighter handle and sharp decision-making.
But he has proven he can create for his teammates in transition where his athleticism shines most. Preseason has allowed him to get needed extra reps going into his third season.
“He’s shown what he can do and how dynamic he can be,” Bickerstaff said. “With him, again, putting him on the floor with the ball in his hands by himself is great reps for him, but it’s going to take some growing pains also to get comfortable figuring out ‘no longer am I the wing player … now as the ball-handler I’ve gotta think about everybody else too.’
“Those are things that probably are the most difficult position in our league, so it’s going to take a little bit of time but you see all the things that he can do.”
Jalen Duren debuts
Duren looked like his usual self Tuesday, finishing with eight points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal in 12 minutes and 34 seconds.
“I feel like I haven’t lost a step. I feel like I’m ready to go,” Duren said Wednesday.
“It felt good, happy to finally be back out there. I really wanted to make sure I was able to get at least two preseason games in before the season started. Obviously it’s nothing that can replicate real game reps, so it was good to get out there.”
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