The Detroit Pistons were hoping to see Victor Wembanyama at Little Caesar's Arena this season, but wearing the red, white and blue, not the silver and black of the San Antonio Spurs.
The Pistons' 14 percent chance didn't pan out (who could have seen that coming?) and with no Plan B, they've sunk into an abyss in which light can neither enter nor escape.
Like the last three seasons, many fans will turn up to games just to see the players on the other team, though they are often left disappointed since the good teams usually sit their top guys against Detroit and win anyway.
But they aren't playing a good team tonight, they are playing the San Antonio Spurs, so will Pistons fans get treated to their first look at the player who was once our beacon of hope?
Is Victor Wembanyama playing tonight? Pistons vs. Spurs injuries
Wembanyama has only missed four games this season. He's been held out on the tail-end of a back-to-back and kept out of the lineup during their thickest concentration of games.
But he's not on the injury report tonight, and the Spurs haven't played a game since January 7th, so expect Wembanyama to be in there and fully rested. With the chance to get their sixth victory, the Spurs should be ready to go, including their franchise cornerstone.
It will be interesting to see how Jalen Duren holds up against him, as he clearly has the strength advantage, but Wembanyama is already the best shot blocker in the NBA. Can Duren power through them? Can he use his athleticism to keep Wembanyama off balance? This will be a unique test for the Pistons' young center.
How to watch Pistons vs. Spurs
Tonight's game in Little Caesar's Arena will tip off at 7 PM ET and you can watch on Bally Sports Detroit or listen on 97.1 FM The Ticket.
The game will stream on NBA League Pass for those who live out of market and you can also watch on FUBOtv, which is currently offering a free trial.
If the Detroit Pistons don't get a win tonight against the five-win Spurs, we may be looking at another lengthy losing streak, as things aren't going to get any easier, especially with Cade Cunningham out.