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Detroit Pistons Reveal Starter's Playing Status vs Utah Jazz

Will Jaden Ivey miss another game?
Justin Grasso|
Dec 20, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (23) dribbles defended by Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) in the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Dec 20, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (23) dribbles defended by Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) in the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

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Detroit PistonsUtah Jazz

Leading up to the matchup against the Miami Heat, Jaden Ivey wasn’t believed to be dealing with any setbacks. The veteran guard was not on the injury report.

Just minutes before the Detroit Pistons tipped off with the Heat, Ivey was a late scratch. According to the team, he was dealing with knee soreness.

This time around, Ivey was on the injury report heading into the game against the Utah Jazz. The third-year guard was diagnosed with left knee inflammation. While the Pistons didn’t want to rule him out right away, they doubted his playing status on Thursday.

Ivey will officially not get a chance to play against Utah. He’s been ruled out for the second game in a row. Thursday will mark the third absence for Ivey this year.

Without Ivey, the Pistons have been starting Malik Beasley. While Ivey’s 17 points and four assists per game have been productive this year, Beasley has done an excellent job filling in when he’s out.

Tobias Harris' Playing Status on Thursday

Like Ivey, Tobias Harris didn't play in Monday's game against the Heat. Leading up to the game, he was recovering from a sprained thumb. The Pistons believed Harris would be back sooner than later.

Fortunately, when the Pistons return to the court to take on the Utah Jazz on Thursday night, Harris will be available as he’s been cleared for action.

This year, Harris has started in all 25 games he appeared in for the Pistons. He’s been hitting on 45 percent of his shots from the field and knocked down 34 percent of his threes to average 14 points per game. In addition, he’s been averaging seven rebounds and two assists.

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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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