Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey was stretchered off the ground Wednesday night during his team’s 105-96 victory over the Orlando Magic. Ivey appeared to suffer a serious leg injury during a collision with Magic guard Cole Anthony.
“It’s tough. It’s tough for all of us,” Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff said. he said after the game. “There’s no better teammate or person than JI. No one cares about this more than him. It’s hard to watch.”
Bickerstaff did not provide an update on Ivey’s condition.
Early in the fourth quarter, Cade Cunningham missed a three-pointer and both Ivey and Anthony chased down the loose ball. As Ivey bent down to try to pick it up, Anthony lunged and crashed into the Pistons guard’s leg. Ivey’s left foot and ankle were trapped under Anthony’s body, while his leg and knee bent awkwardly of the force of the collision.
Ivey fell to the ground and screamed in pain. He was soon surrounded by medical personnel, who worked quickly to stabilize his leg. Once it was completed, he was loaded onto a stretcher and carried off the court. An excited Anthony watched along with players and coaches from both teams.
When Ivey was carried off the court, the Detroit crowd chanted his name.
Ivey finished the night with 22 points and four assists on 8-of-11 shooting from the field in what was another strong performance from the third-year guard, who had been playing well since returning from a two-game absence due to soreness in his right knee. knee.
“At the heart of this team, and what we’ve tried to preach all year since we’ve been here, is togetherness,” Bickerstaff said after the Pistons pulled away to win the game without Ivey. “If one guy goes down, you don’t want to let him down, so everyone else has to step up. Again, it’s the emotions, it’s the human aspect, but I thought our guys did a really good job.” just stick together and get it done.”
There has been no official word on Ivey’s status, but based on his reaction and the medical care he received, it is certainly possible that his season is over. At the very least, he seems destined for a long period on the sidelines.
Entering Wednesday, Ivey was averaging 17.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and four assists while shooting 39.2% from 3-point range. Except for assists, all of those numbers are personal highs. After a frustrating sophomore season under Monty Williams, Ivey, the fifth pick in the 2022 draft, was enjoying a breakout campaign in Bickerstaff’s first year at the helm.
