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Shams Charania, senior NBA expert
Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey underwent surgery for a fractured fibula in his left leg, the team announced Thursday.
Ivey, 22, will miss at least most of the rest of the season, sources told ESPN. The Pistons and Ivey are currently not ruling out a return depending on Detroit’s play and postseason potential, but the franchise will be cautious in the rehab and recovery of the rising young guard.
The Pistons said Thursday that Ivey will be reevaluated in four weeks.
Ivey, the fifth overall pick in the 2022 draft, has had a career season for the resurgent Pistons in his third year, averaging 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.
He left Wednesday’s game against the Orlando Magic on a stretcher after Cole Anthony slipped and fell on Ivey’s planted leg while going for the ball. Ivey was evidently distraught as he grabbed his shin and was quickly attended to by Detroit medical staff.
Members of the athletic training staff held up towels to block the crowd’s view of the injury, and players from both teams formed a circle around Ivey. After a long delay, he was loaded onto a stretcher and carried out of the arena with a towel covering the wound.
Players from both teams consoled Ivey and Anthony, who was noticeably shaken by the play.
“It’s tough for all of us,” Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff said after Detroit’s 105-96 victory. “There is no better person or teammate than JI and no one cares about this more than him.”
Detroit is firmly in the race for the Play-In tournament this season at 15-18, good for ninth place and three games out of sixth place.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
