The Pistons finally got Isaiah Stewart back after a 7-game suspension and they can officially breathe a sign of relief after going 6-1 without him. Detroit was even able to pick up some key wins against rivals during that time, even without one of their best defenders and most impactful players. At the same time, Stewart was able to get some rest and potentially keep him healthier for the playoffs.
Getting Stewart back with renewed vigor for the final stretch of the regular season is perfect timing. The Pistons have been slacking in their effort recently, but Stew should change that as soon as he touches the court. He brings intensity and maximum effort whenever he plays, and that should be infectious across the team.
The Pistons got lucky in Stewart's absence
Despite facing a tough slew of opponents during Stewart's suspension, the Pistons pulled through. Paul Reed was able to fill in as a solid backup (and at times starting) center in his place. And the Pistons' defense remained strong behind a great collective team effort and the brilliance of Ausar Thompson.
The Pistons maintaining a top defensive rating without Stewart shows the strength of their depth and team culture. It bodes well for the playoffs, when the Pistons may be able to rely on their bench more than their opponents because of this defensive strength. At the same time, having that additional depth allows everyone to play harder and give more effort in their minutes.
With the Pistons' recent success, they are now in a great position to secure the top seed in the East. They still have a 4.5 game lead over the second-place Celtics with time running out to make up the difference. Both teams have just over 20 games remaining, so the Pistons can make their lead very safe just by winning about 12 of their remaining games. Not to mention, the Pistons won the season series 3-1 so they have a tiebreaker as well.
Isaiah Stewart will be ready to roll now
Stewart's return should be a great boost for the Pistons. He's never been one to have a quiet presence on the court, so he should bring instant energy off the bench. Stewart is also a great complementary piece who can fill in different roles offensively and dominate a game defensively. He won't need much time to become reintegrated to the Pistons.
Looking at the slate of games the Pistons played without Stewart - including opponents like the Knicks, Spurs, Cavs and Thunder - the expectations were much lower than 6-1. Coming through that stretch so strong was a shocking result that proves the Pistons' ability to contend with the best teams.