Reggie Jackson likely to play for the Pistons against the Pacers
By Duncan Smith
Reggie Jackson took a spill in what looked to be an ugly knee-on-knee collision Friday night in the Detroit Pistons win, but expect him to suit up Saturday.
Reggie Jackson had a painful end to his night on Friday in the Detroit Pistons home win against the Minnesota Timberwolves. After struggling much of the night, he got free for a fast break dunk in the middle stages of the fourth quarter and landed awkwardly.
On the ensuing defensive possession, Jackson was late getting back downcourt because he hit the ground and was slow getting up. As he ran to get back in position, he had a knee-on-knee collision with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
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Jackson’s left knee took the brunt of the damage, which is worrisome. His left knee is the one that suffered from tendinitis and where he received a platelet-rich plasma injection.
Stan Van Gundy pulled him from the game and replaced him with Ish Smith. After the game, Van Gundy spoke on Jackson’s injury.
"“He fell down when he got up the court, he limped off the court and then he said he was fine to play,” Van Gundy said. “I mean, maybe he was — but at that point it was too late in the game for me, in my opinion, to send him back out there to see if he could run.”"
As for Jackson, he wanted to get back out on the floor.
"“I just got subbed out, that was it,” said Jackson, who scored 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting and added eight assists. “I wanted to go back in. I’m all right. Just a slight bump. Little stuff. I tried to get back up. I was good to go.”"
If Jackson was trying to get back into the game shortly after taking a couple blows to the knee, expect him to be fine and ready to go Saturday night against the Indiana Pacers.