The Detroit Pistons have been a frustrating team to watch over the past few seasons.
It’s not just all of the losing, it’s that we have rarely seen the full team together, as they always seem to be decimated by injuries to key guys.
Last season was supposed to be the one when the Pistons started to turn things around, but instead, they lost Cade Cunningham in the 12th game and tanked away the rest of the year.
We know the Pistons have to stay healthy this season to have any shot to reach their stated goal of being competitive all year and the chances of that happening have already taken a big hit.
Detroit Pistons injury update
The roster took a hit before the preseason even started, as Isaiah Livers sprained his ankle and will be out another 4-6 weeks. Detroit was already thin at forward, and this is just another setback for Livers, who has yet to start a season healthy.
Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren both missed preseason games, though their injuries appear to be minor and they should be fine to start the regular season in Miami on Wednesday.
But according to Mike Curtis of the Detroit News, the Pistons will start the 2023-24 season without two key veterans:
Monty Williams says Bojan Bogdanovic and Monte Morris will not play on Wednesday. Says everyday they “get closer,” but the vets won’t play in the season opener.
— Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) October 22, 2023
Both Bojan Bogdanovic and Monte Morris have been ruled out for Wednesday’s opener against the Heat and Killian Hayes is still listed as day-to-day with a sprained knee, so Detroit will be starting the season shorthanded once again.
Losing Bogdanovic for any amount of time is a big blow, as he is the player who is supposed to bring shooting and spacing to the starting lineup. Same with Monte Morris, who was the presumptive backup point guard due to his ability to take care of the ball and knock down the 3-pointer, areas where the Pistons struggled in preseason.
Hopefully, the two veterans won’t be out long, but it is frustrating and disappionting to once again start a season without the full complement of players. Not only does it make winning less likely, but head coach Monty Williams is still figuring out his rotations and how these players fit, something he is now going to have to do on the fly in games that actually matter.
No one ever said being a Pistons fan was easy.