Detroit Pistons: Getting back Kennard, losing Bullock bittersweet

Last night, the Detroit Pistons lost a shooting guard just as one returned from injury. Reggie Bullock injured his ankle in last night’s game and didn’t return.

Nothing was really positive about last night’s game for the Detroit Pistons. They lost the final game of their six-game home stand 110-83 to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

If you’re a half-glass full type of person, one positive about last night’s game was Luke Kennard‘s return to the lineup.

It was unsure whether or not he would play in the game. Dwane Casey’s hand was forced when no one could knock down a shot last night for the Pistons.

He played just 12 minutes last night, missing all five of his shots from the field.

Kennard missed a little over a month with a shoulder injury that he suffered running into a screen by Channing Frye.

It was his first serious injury as a professional basketball player. He did make a rehab start with the Grand Rapids Drive before making his return to Detroit.

His 27 points with Grand Rapids last Friday was a clear indicator that he was ready to come back.

However, as soon as they get one shooting guard back, the Pistons lose another.

Reggie Bullock left last night’s game with an ankle sprain. This has to be the most bittersweet scenario for this team right now.

You stay patient with Kennard as he’s trying to get back healthy. Then you lose your best shooter from a year ago.

Bullock hasn’t been their best shooter this season. He’s actually having quite the down season. Bullock is shooting under 40 percent from the field and just 35 percent from three-point range.

He suffered an ankle injury earlier this season and seemed to be playing through it. Those types of injuries to tend to linger on NBA players so that might be why his numbers are down so much.

On the other hand, he put together a four-game stretch just recently that might have indicated he was finding his groove.

From November 19-25, Bullock shot 53 percent from the field and shot 47 percent from three-point range. He was also a +16 in the plus/minus category.

It’s just unfortunate that he goes down as soon as Kennard comes back. These two were the best shooters on the team and big reason why they were fifth in the league in three-point percentage last season.

The Pistons are just 28th in the NBA in that category this season. Losing a pure shooter even if he’s struggling is a blow to a team like the Detroit Pistons considering their current numbers.

If Bullock has to be out for any period of time, expect Kennard to start getting 20-25 minutes a night very quickly.

He has been ruled out for Wednesday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks.