The Detroit Pistons are facing a setback as their defensive anchor, Isaiah Stewart, is sidelined with a Grade 1 calf strain. The team has announced that Stewart will be re-evaluated in a week, but head coach J.B. Bickerstaff isn't committing to a specific timeline for his return.
Stewart's been battling this issue for a while, and it seemed to worsen recently. "He gutted it out last game, but you could see him favoring it," Bickerstaff noted. The team plans to be cautious with his recovery.
Stewart's impact on the court has been significant. He's been a cornerstone of the Pistons' second-ranked defense, averaging 10 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.
His defensive prowess has put him in the conversation for an All-Defensive team spot. However, with the injury, he might fall short of the 65-game requirement for postseason awards, having played in 55 games with 15 remaining.
Part of his missed time this season was due to a seven-game suspension following an on-court altercation.
In Stewart's absence, Paul Reed is expected to step up. Reed has shown he can handle the starting role, averaging 13.9 points and 7.8 rebounds in his eight starts this season. The Pistons will be looking to him to fill the void and maintain their defensive intensity.