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Detroit Pistons Make Shocking Move to Rule Out Starter vs Miami Heat

Jaden Ivey was a late scratch for the Detroit Pistons against the Heat on Monday.
Justin Grasso|
Dec 3, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (23) shoots the ball over Milwaukee Bucks forwards Taurean Prince (12) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the third quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Dec 3, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (23) shoots the ball over Milwaukee Bucks forwards Taurean Prince (12) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the third quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

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Heading into Monday night’s game against the Miami Heat, the Detroit Pistons planned to play just one starter down. The veteran forward Tobias Harris was ruled out due to a thumb injury. Everybody else from the usual starting five was left off of the injury report.

However, just moments before the Pistons tipped off against the Heat, the starting lineup had a change. The veteran Malik Beasley was called up. He was replacing the young veteran Jaden Ivey, who was deemed a late scratch.

According to the Pistons, Ivey is dealing with left knee pain.

Monday’s game marks just the second absence this year for Ivey. He missed his first game of the season on November 18, when the Pistons took on the Milwaukee Bucks on the road. Since then, he has started and played in the last 13 games.

Over that stretch, Ivey has produced 16 points on 41 percent shooting from the field. While taking five threes per game, Ivey knocked down 38 percent of his long-range shots.

Heading into the 2024-2025 NBA season, many questioned Ivey’s fit alongside the starting point guard Cade Cunningham. Through 25 games of action, it’s safe to say the veteran has silenced the doubters.

Overall, Ivey has averaged 17 points on 44 percent shooting from the field. His three-point percentage improved to 37 percent on five attempts per game. Along with his scoring, Ivey has dished out four assists per game while coming down with four rebounds per game.

The 22-year-old will take the night off as the Pistons search for win No. 11 on the year against the Heat.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia

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