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Indianapolis — Cade Cunningham crossed halfcourt at Fiserv Forum and immediately received a pick from Jalen Duren. The screen forced Milwaukee Bucks guard Andre Jackson Jr. to step up for help defense, leaving Jaden Ivey open beyond the arc.
Without hesitation, Cunningham threw a pass to Ivey, who drilled the open 3-pointer. The basket marked Ivey’s first triple in his long-awaited return from injury Saturday night, as the Detroit Pistons took a 129-116 victory over the Bucks. He played 15 minutes in his season debut, scoring 10 points on 2-of-6 shooting, 1-of-3 from deep, with two assists.
It was Ivey’s first game since Jan. 1, when he suffered a broken left fibula against the Orlando Magic. Nine months later, his return was further delayed after sustaining a knee injury during training camp that required surgery.
“We are just happy to have him back. … For him to have that joy and competition with his teammates, that was the most important thing,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “This is more of a celebration of his journey.”
Ivey had nothing but gratitude to be back on the court with his teammates. Amid the Pistons’ 12th consecutive victory, Ivey believes he is returning to a team on the verge of “something really special,” realizing that Detroit is in a different place than when he last took the floor.
At the time, the Pistons were a team three games under .500 (15-18) when they welcomed the Magic to Little Caesars Arena on New Year’s Day. Ivey was in the middle of playing the best basketball of his career, averaging 17.6 points and 4.0 assists in 30 games last season.
However, the Pistons’ rise out of purgatory coincides with Ivey’s unfortunate absence. They have established themselves as contenders in the Eastern Conference during his absence, highlighted by Cunningham’s rise to All-NBA status.
Working the former lottery pick back into the lineup will change the Pistons’ dynamic. But there is strong confidence that Ivey will contribute to Detroit’s success, especially given his ability to play alongside Cunningham.
“I don’t think my injury changed anything. This team and the caliber of it, how our success has been driven, I think it just all panned out,” Ivey said. “Seeing the success that this team had did not affect me at all. I am just grateful to be back. It’s a good feeling.”
Last season, Ivey was slowly solidifying himself as the Pistons’ go-to player down the stretch, due to his late-game heroics and a team-best 2.5 points in clutch moments. Ivey had hit a pair of game-winners last season. His best game came during the Pistons’ 114-113 victory over the Sacramento Kings in December, when he connected on a four-point play as time expired inside Golden 1 Center.
While his clutch play will be called upon as they reintegrate him into the system, the Pistons will focus on using Ivey’s playmaking and facilitating skills as a secondary ball handler. It remains one of Detroit’s primary needs, particularly to ease Cunningham’s workload at times, who has recorded a usage rating of 31.2% through the first 16 games.
His improved 3-point shooting also will boost the Pistons’ offensive production, as Ivey will remain a reliable scorer and a creator of on-court spacing. He shot a career-best 40.9% on 3-pointers prior to his injury.
“We just need him to play his game as he has always done,” forward Tobias Harris said. “He is a dynamic scorer with his speed. He is another player who can create and get his own shot. He can put pressure on the defense. Overall, he is just another dynamic guard that we have. He is super talented. We are expecting a lot from him as a group.”
Ivey’s performance against the Bucks showed how he could contribute to the Pistons’ hot start to the season. His first 3-point field goal in his return also marked the first connection of the season with Cunningham.
The two guards celebrated the moment with a quick high five; however, it also indicated the Pistons have yet to realize the full potential of a Cunningham-Ivey backcourt pairing. Since becoming teammates in 2022, Cunningham and Ivey have played together in only 95 games.
Most of their time on the court occurred during the early stages of the Pistons’ rebuild, which has contributed to their abysmal 26-69 record. Despite their lack of success and experience, Cunningham remains optimistic about their potential together, illustrating the team’s confidence about Ivey’s return.
“It would mean a lot to both of us because of our relationship off the court. How much we believe in each other and how close we have gotten,” Cunningham said. “On the court, our skill set complements each other very well. Us being on the floor and getting time together, to be able to grow the chemistry, it all means something.”
coty.davis@detroitnews.com
@cotydavis_24
