DETROIT — It’s only 10 games into the season and the Detroit Pistons are already feeling the weight of a long regular season.
There’s no lack of success for the Pistons right now with an 8-2 record, the top in the Eastern Conference, and a six-game win streak heading into Monday night’s game against the Washington Wizards.
But the availability of Detroit’s roster has already been challenged.
Guards Jaden Ivey and Marcus Sasser have yet to make their season debuts, forwards Tobias Harris and Isaiah Stewart have each missed multiple games without a clear return in sight.
Key guards Caris LeVert (knee) and Ausar Thompson (ankle) are battling their own injuries one night removed from scoring 14 points each in a major victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Both were considered questionable for Detroit’s matchup against the Wizards Monday night, but they were downgraded to out before tipoff.
“We’ll always be cognizant of our guys and what they need. Caris is just working his way back, you never want to force it,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said before Monday’s game. “It’s a matter of the back-to-back. It’s a matter of how he’s feeling. And then Ausar the same thing is like, you see how it responds in the morning. Give him an opportunity, see how it responds, and then we’ll move forward from there.”
While it will be the second night of a back-to-back and their outlook seems positive for the Pistons, Detroit has had an uphill battle with having all their bodies available.
Fortunately, tests to their depth have passed with flying colors in the first few weeks.
After Harris went down with his high ankle sprain — which he is “progressing day-to-day” from according to Bickerstaff — Stewart filled in with major performances on both ends of the court.
Now in place of both, second-year forward Ron Holland in stepping into the lineup showing his growth from just a year ago and veteran Javonte Green is giving the Pistons quality minutes as a defensive force.
Just as crucial has been the Pistons’ star players delivering even more than they were already contributing.
Jalen Duren’s averaging 19.4 points and 11.8 rebounds in what’s quickly becoming a standout season for the center. Sunday night he was tasked with being the focal point of Detroit’s interior defense without Stewart and he brought it through physicality and constant communication.
“What he’s doing on that floor is just dominant,” Bickerstaff said. “When you got a guy who can do that for long periods of time, they help keep you in the game, give you an opportunity to win it down the stretch.”
The Pistons came away with a 111-108 win over the 76ers on the road Sunday night, even without Harris and Stewart available as Duren scored 21 with 16 rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
Guard Cade Cunningham, who earned Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors, scored 26 points with 11 assists, bringing his averages for the week to 31 points and 9.8 assists on 54.7% shooting.
His dynamic play has played a key part in keeping the absences of Sasser, Ivey and LeVert from becoming a detriment to the team.
Bickerstaff and his players would certainly rather have their entire 15-man roster available on a nightly basis to contribute.
But they’re weathering the storm of injuries well and sitting atop the conference and off to their best start in 20 years. That doesn’t happen by accident.
“We believe the guys that we have here from top to bottom can help contribute to winning, and we’re lucky,” Bickerstaff said. “Give (president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon) and the front office group a ton of credit for the way they constructed the team.”
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