Injuries and how to watch Pistons final preseason game vs. Cavaliers

We are exactly one week from the start of the 2024-25 regular season for the Detroit Pistons, but first we have to get this final pesky preseason game out of the way. 

The Pistons have been pleasantly surprising in some ways this preseason, as they’ve played with defensive intensity and the offense looks to be more functional even though they haven’t shot the ball well. 

The final preseason game is at home against Cleveland, a division foe that the Pistons will also play on the road in the second game of the regular season. It’s likely we’ll see the regulars early but get a healthy dose of the entire bench as the Pistons try to enter the preseason without any additional injuries. 

Detroit Pistons injuries vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 

It wouldn’t be surprising to see guys like Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey sit tonight, but if they do play, it's likely they’ll get limited minutes, as the last thing this team needs is an injury in a meaningless preseason game. 

But these reps do matter, so it would be nice to get a half with the regulars as a final tune-up for the regular season. 

Ausar Thompson is still out waiting to be cleared by the league, and if I’m being completely honest, I am concerned. The fact that we’ve gotten no updates and Trajan Langdon said there was “no timeline” for his return, makes me believe Thompson could be out for an extended time. 

There have been other players who suffered blood clots and had to miss whole seasons (most recently Christian Koloko, who missed all of last year), so count me as worried until I see Ausar back on the floor. 

Rookie Bobi Klintman is also still listed as day-to-day with a calf contusion, which is a shame, as he had to miss the entire preseason and is a guy who had an outside chance of making the rotation. Now those plans will have to be put on hold, though it was likely that he started the season in the G-League anyway. 

How to watch Pistons vs. Cavaliers 

The game is in Little Caesar's arena in downtown Detroit and will tip off at 7:00 PM ET.

For the second time this preseason, the Pistons are on national TV, which is half as many times as they are on for the entire rest of the 2024-25 season, so enjoy it while you can. 

The game will be on NBA TV as well as Bally Sports Detroit and you can listen on 97.1 FM The Ticket. 

The game is also available for streaming on NBA League Pass if you live out of market, or you can get a free trial at FuboTV.