The Detroit Pistons will be without a key piece of their second unit when they face the Golden State Warriors on the road Friday night. Veteran guard Caris LeVert has officially been ruled out due to illness, marking his 16th missed game of the season.
LeVert was initially listed as doubtful, but the team has since confirmed he won’t suit up. At 31 years old and in his 10th NBA season, LeVert has provided steady production off the bench when healthy.
Averaging just under 20 minutes per game, he’s contributed 7.9 points, 2.8 assists, and 1.8 rebounds per contest, shooting 43.1% from the field and 34.0% from three-point range. He’s not the focal point of Detroit’s offense, but his ability to create in the halfcourt and provide veteran stability has been valuable for a Pistons team that’s built its identity on depth and unselfish play.
With LeVert sidelined, expect Detroit to turn to its younger guards to fill the void. Jaden Ivey, who’s already carved out a significant role, may see increased usage in the backcourt.
The same goes for Marcus Sasser, who’s flashed promise as a sparkplug scorer and on-ball defender. Both players bring a different dynamic to the floor-Sasser with his quickness and shooting touch, Ivey with his explosive downhill game-and their development has been one of the bright spots for this Pistons squad.
The good news for Detroit? They’re well-equipped to handle this kind of short-term absence.
This is a team that’s leaned on its depth all season long, and it’s one of the reasons they find themselves in a commanding position atop the Eastern Conference standings. With a 5.5-game cushion over the second-place Knicks, the Pistons are not just surviving-they’re thriving.
It’s been a remarkable turnaround for a franchise that just a season ago ended a five-year playoff drought. Now, they’re not only postseason-bound again, they’re leading the pack.
Cade Cunningham’s leap has been central to that rise. The former No. 1 pick is playing with poise and purpose, elevating both his own game and those around him.
Friday’s matchup against the Warriors is another test, but Detroit’s focus is bigger than one game. It’s about building momentum, staying healthy, and continuing to develop their young core-something they’ve done with impressive consistency all year. Even without LeVert, the Pistons have the depth and direction to keep pushing forward.