The Detroit Pistons are turning adversity into opportunity this season. Despite injuries to key players like Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Stewart, the team is thriving, showcasing a depth that could be pivotal come playoff time.
Cunningham, sidelined with a left lung issue, and Stewart, nursing a calf strain, have missed several games. Yet, the Pistons have managed an impressive 5-2 run, including a decisive 129-108 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. This win came even with Duncan Robinson and Caris LeVert also out due to injuries.
With two starters and two key rotation players missing, the Pistons could have struggled, especially against a Pelicans team that has been strong post-All-Star break. Instead, they’ve used this period to strengthen their roster’s depth and versatility, which could pay dividends in the postseason.
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has been forced to innovate, and players like Jalen Duren, Daniss Jenkins, and Kevin Huerter have stepped up.
Duren has been a standout, averaging 24.6 points on an impressive 65.1% shooting, along with 10.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists over the last five games. Jenkins, filling in for Cunningham at point guard, has also shone, averaging 19.8 points with a solid 46.4% from beyond the arc, plus 8.0 assists and 3.6 rebounds.
Huerter, making his first start since joining the team, scored a season-high 22 points on 4-of-7 shooting from three-point range. His integration into the lineup has added a new dimension to the Pistons’ offense.
Cunningham has been the linchpin of Detroit’s offense, leading with 9.9 assists per game and a 42.8 assist percentage, second only to Nikola Jokić in the league. His absence has necessitated a more collective approach, highlighting Duren’s playmaking skills and Huerter’s offensive growth.
Duren, close to a triple-double with 30 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists in a recent game, emphasized the team’s need to involve everyone. His ability to facilitate from the middle, set screens, and execute handoffs has been crucial. His evolution as a facilitator, averaging 4.3 assists in the last three games, could ease the load on Cunningham when he returns.
Bickerstaff praised Duren’s development, noting his ability to read the game and make smart decisions at speed. This growth positions Duren as a key player even when Cunningham is back in action.
Huerter’s contributions have been timely. Averaging 12.8 points on 56.4% shooting, he’s shown versatility beyond his reputation as a shooter.
His ability to drive and create plays adds another layer to Detroit’s offense. Bickerstaff highlighted Huerter’s basketball IQ and his knack for making the right play, which complicates defenses and enhances the Pistons’ strategic options.
As the team looks ahead, the experience gained by players like Duren, Jenkins, and Huerter during this stretch could be invaluable. Their development not only provides immediate benefits but also promises a deeper, more resilient roster for the playoffs.
Bickerstaff remains optimistic, citing the team’s depth as a significant asset. “In times like this, with so many bodies down, you see how important our depth has been.
That won’t change for us,” he said. The Pistons are proving that even in the face of challenges, they have the talent and strategy to compete at the highest level.