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Detroit Pistons Upgrade Sharpshooter vs Denver Nuggets

The Detroit Pistons could get Simone Fontecchio back against the Nuggets.
Justin Grasso|
Jan 22, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio (19) passes the ball against Atlanta Hawks guard Vit Krejci (27) during the first half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Jan 22, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio (19) passes the ball against Atlanta Hawks guard Vit Krejci (27) during the first half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

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Detroit PistonsDenver Nuggets

There’s a chance the Detroit Pistons could have some positive reinforcements on Friday night against the Denver Nuggets as they upgraded Simone Fontecchio on the injury report.

According to the official NBA injury report, Fontecchio is probable to play. Lately, the Pistons veteran has been dealing with a finger injury, which was diagnosed as a dislocation.

The setback first occurred when the Pistons were taking on the Atlanta Hawks on February 23. Fontecchio checked in for a little under five minutes. During that time, Fontecchio shot 1-3 from the field to score two points.

Throughout the 2024-2025 NBA season, Fontcchio has embraced a bench role for the Pistons. He came off the bench for all 52 games he played. The veteran sharpshooter has averaged six points and three rebounds throughout the year.

Compared to his first couple of NBA seasons, Fontecchio is having a down year in the shooting department. He’s been hitting on just 38 percent of his field goals and knocking down only 32 percent of his threes.

Simone Fontecchi
Feb 3, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Ronald Holland II (00) Atlanta Hawks forward Dominick Barlow (0) forward Simone Fontecchio (19) and guard Vit Krejci (27) go for the rebound in the second half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

The Italian forward entered the NBA in 2022, joining the Utah Jazz. Fontecchio averaged six points on 33 percent shooting from three during his rookie effort. Last year, Fontecchio produced nine points per game on 39 percent shooting in 50 outings. At the trade deadline, he was moved to the Pistons.

Fontecchio appeared in 16 games down the stretch for Detroit. He averaged 15 points and four rebounds while shooting threes at a 43 percent clip.

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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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