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Detroit Pistons Vet Leaves With Injury vs Atlanta Hawks

The Detroit Pistons lost Simone Fontecchio against the Hawks.
Justin Grasso|
Jan 22, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio (19) reacts after making a three point shot against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Jan 22, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio (19) reacts after making a three point shot against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

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Detroit PistonsAtlanta Hawks

As the Detroit Pistons worked on keeping the winning streak alive, the team lost one of its rotation pieces, as Simone Fontecchio left the game with a right-hand injury.

The Pistons were quick to rule out Fontecchio for the remainder of the matchup.

When the veteran forward left the game, he had just five minutes of action under his belt. He attempted three shots from the field, all from inside of the arc. Fontecchio went 1-3 to score two points. He also has one rebound and one assist.

Outside of a minor injury at the start of the new year, Fontecchio hasn’t missed more than three games at a time for the Pistons this year. Sunday’s action in Atlanta was his 52nd appearance this season.

In the 51 games leading up to Sunday’s matchup, Fontecchio averaged 18 minutes of playing time off the bench. He’s been averaging six points on 32 percent shooting from beyond the arc. In addition to scoring and shooting, Fontecchio has produced three rebounds per game.

The Italian forward joined the Pistons late last season. At the 2024 trade deadline, the Pistons acquired Fontecchio in exchange for Kevin Knox, a second-round pick, and draft rights to a stashed player.

At the time, Fontecchio wrapped up a 50-game season with the Jazz. He was producing nine points per game on 39 percent shooting from three. During his 16-game showing with the Pistons down the stretch of the 2023-2024 season, Fontecchio was highly impressive by averaging 15 points on 43 percent shooting from three.

Over the offseason, the Pistons re-signed Fontecchio on a two-year deal. It was for a reported $16 million.

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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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