Luke Kennard’s injury another in a long line for Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons shooting guard Luke Kennard will miss the next two weeks. Here’s why the Pistons season isn’t over yet.
The Detroit Pistons have been plagued by injuries all season long and Luke KEnnard is the latest to bite the dust.
The Pistons announced that he will miss the next two weeks with bilateral knee tendinitis. He will rehab and be re-evaluated on Jan. 7. It was clear that something was wrong after Saturday’s loss against the Bulls.
“I’m not myself at the moment,” Kennard said after the game. “I’m not the same as I was at the beginning of the season.”
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But Detroit’s season isn’t over yet. The two-week rest period isn’t the worst thing in the world and, perhaps, the likes of Blake Griffin and others could benefit from taking some time off to gear up for the rest of the season.
Detroit begins a six-game road trip that includes meetings with Western Conference heavy hitters, such as the Utah Jazz (18-12), Los Angeles Clippers (23-10) and league-leading Lakers (24-7). The final leg of the trip is in Cleveland on Jan. 7, which could provide a homecoming of sorts for Kennard to return.
Reality is that with or without Kennard or a healthy Griffin this road trip was going to be tough with 3-3 being a best-case scenario. Given all the injuries, the Pistons should utilize load management to be rested for an important 20-day stretch.
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That game in Cleveland tips-off a 20-day stretch where the Pistons will play only two teams with a winning record. They visit Boston (21-7) on Jan. 15 and host Brooklyn (16-13) on Jan. 25.
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The remaining games include three against Cleveland, Chicago, New Orleans, Atlanta, Sacramento, Washington and Memphis. Being healthy for that 11-game stretch will determine whether or not the Pistons can make a charge at a playoff spot and appease owner Tom Gores.
It’s the final straw.
Even at 11-20 entering Thursday’s game against the Wizards, the Pistons are only 2 1/2 games behind the Orlando Magic for the eighth playoff spot. But that 20-day stretch will be crucial.
It isn’t going to be an easy road back to the playoff success the Goin’ to Work Pistons and Bad Boys enjoyed. A start would be winning a playoff game, which hasn’t been done since 2008. Getting back to that point won’t be easy and may be a longer path than anyone thinks.
Ultimately, Kennard’s health is of the utmost importance. He has taken a step this season by improving his scoring and playmaking. He’s up to 15.8 points and 4.1 assists per game. His playmaking, especially, has been impressive as he’s up to an 18.3% assist rate from 12.8% last season. Meanwhile his turnover rate has remained relatively unchanged at 10.3%.
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He’ll be missed in the interim but it’ll open up opportunities for Detroit’s young wings. If he’s healthy on or shortly after Jan. 7, the Pistons have their last chance at a run towards a postseason.