Minneapolis — When the Detroit Pistons recorded one of their most impressive wins of the season in a 113-110 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, Isaiah Stewart watched every moment from the sideline of Little Caesars Arena.
He cheered alongside his teammates in gray warmups during the game’s most exciting moments. Although Stewart was pleased to see his teammates sweep the Lakers for the second consecutive season, he watched with a dejected expression. It was clear he wanted to be on the court playing, but he was unable to do so because of a Grade 1 strain in his left calf.
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Five days later, the Pistons announced Stewart was inching closer to returning, and that he had been cleared to resume on-court basketball activities as part of his recovery process. Although he has been cleared, a team spokesperson confirmed to The Detroit News that there is still no timeline for Stewart’s projected return.
“He’s progressing,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “It is something that we will take our time with, making sure he is right with the timing of everything. Every day when he takes a step, we evaluate and take another step the next day.”
Following Detroit’s 109-87 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, Stewart has missed eight consecutive games since the Pistons announced his injury on March 15. The injury was publicized just before Detroit’s 119-108 loss to the Toronto Raptors. However, Bickerstaff revealed that Stewart had attempted to play through the injury in the games leading up to his absence at Scotiabank Arena.
Before the calf strain, Stewart was having a career season, averaging 10.0 points and 1.6 blocks over 55 games. His strong defensive performance had put him on the brink of earning his first selection to the NBA All-Defensive Team. However, due to the league’s 65-game eligibility requirement, he likely will miss the opportunity to receive the honor.
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Although the Pistons would love to have their roster at full strength, injuries have given the team a chance to improve its depth ahead of the postseason, when Detroit hopes to be back to 100%.
Similar to the way Daniss Jenkins has stepped up in Cade Cunningham’s absence, Paul Reed has served as the Pistons’ primary backup center amid Stewart’s absence. Reed has played an average of 16 minutes per game, notching 10.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocks. The Pistons have gone 6-2 in Stewart’s absence.
“Everybody who has gotten an opportunity throughout the season has found a way to contribute. In an 82-game season, that is typically what will happen,” Bickerstaff said. “P. Reed, we are so fortunate to have him. He is a guy who is instant impact, understands who he is and how to play within the system and what he does. … We have 18 guys who we feel like can help us win and we are fortunate for that.”
Pistons at Thunder
▶ Tip-off: 9:30 p.m. Monday, Paycom Center, Oklahoma City
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▶ TV/radio: Peacock/97.1
▶ Outlook: The Oklahoma City Thunder have been the league’s best team throughout the season, and have won 13 of their last 14 games. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been at the forefront of this year’s MVP race, having averaged 31.4 points on 55.3% shooting from the field and 6.6 assists through 62 games.
coty.davis@detroitnews.com
@cotydavis_24
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Detroit Pistons’ Isaiah Stewart reaches next step in recovery