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Pistons Face Crucial Test Against Hornets in First Game Without Jaden Ivey
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) and Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) go after a loose ball during the second half at the Spectrum Center.
| Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
The Detroit Pistons are gearing up for a pivotal matchup against the Charlotte Hornets, marking their first game since Jaden Ivey’s devastating injury. This contest will provide valuable insights into how the team plans to adapt without one of their key players for the foreseeable future.
Ivey’s absence leaves a significant void in the Pistons’ lineup. As one of the team’s highest-usage players and best shooters, his contributions will be sorely missed. The coaching staff now faces the challenge of redistributing his responsibilities and finding ways to maintain offensive production.
Several options are on the table for filling Ivey’s spot in the rotation. One possibility is elevating Malik Beasley to the starting lineup to preserve his shooting prowess alongside Cade Cunningham. Another approach could involve promoting Marcus Sasser, allowing him to play off-ball next to a larger guard. Each potential solution has its own pros and cons that the coaching staff must carefully weigh.
Cunningham’s Expanded Role
The spotlight now shifts to Cade Cunningham, who may be called upon to shoulder an even greater burden in Ivey’s absence. While Cunningham has already been posting career-high numbers in several categories this season, there’s potential for him to take his game to another level. An increase in shot attempts and overall usage could see Cunningham push his scoring average closer to the 25-point mark.
This game against the Hornets presents a prime opportunity for Cunningham to assert himself. With a head-to-head matchup against LaMelo Ball, another rising star in the Eastern Conference, Cunningham can bolster his case for All-Star consideration while keeping the Pistons competitive in the playoff race.
The Pistons’ performance in this game will offer valuable insights into their strategy moving forward without Ivey. It will be crucial to monitor how the team’s offensive dynamics shift and whether other players can fill the void left by his absence.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Pistons’ game plan without Jaden Ivey, tune into the Locked On Pistons podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pistons Podcast:
• Jaden Ivey’s inspiring message to fans following his injury
• Potential trade deadline scenarios for the Pistons
• The importance of Malik Beasley’s future with the team
Jan 2, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) warms-up before the game against the Indiana Pacers at Kaseya Center. | Jim Rassol/Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
After weeks of downplay by his agent and denials by Heat president Pat Riley, Jimmy Butler has finally said the quiet part out loud to a room of postgame media about his future in Miami.
“What do I want to see happen? I want to see me get my joy back from playing basketball, wherever that may be — we’ll find out here pretty soon — but I want to get my joy back. I’m happy here, off the court, but I want to be back to somewhere dominant. I want to hoop and I want to help this team win. Right now, I’m not doing that,” Butler said.
In a quick follow up, Butler was asked whether he thought he could get his joy back with the Heat.
“Probably not,” he said without any hesitation.
As a Butler in Miami believer, my surprise stems from the state of the team. That the front office has let the Heat’s roster slowly erode to the strange place of competitive limbo they find themselves in. Losing key role players, like Max Strus and Caleb Martin, plus offensive gap fillers like Gabe Vincent, has left the Heat without much depth. The undeniable talent of Butler, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro — who is having one of his best seasons, despite it all — and sophomore Jamie Jaquez Jr. is there, and for years Duncan Robinson has worked to be whatever the team needs him to be, but the scrappy longevity and the plucky punches this team was capable of pulling two and three seasons ago are gone.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Injury Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey has suffered a broken fibula, sidelining him for an extended period. This injury significantly impacts the team’s backcourt depth. (Detroit Bad Boys)
Honor All-Star Game 2025 voting results are in, with Giannis, Nikola Jokic, and Jayson Tatum leading the first round. Detroit Pistons fans eagerly await to see their favorites make the cut. (Bleacher Report)
Honor Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards calls Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the “MVP of the NBA.”(ESPN)
Injury Pistons Jaden Ivey undergoes surgery to repair his broken fibula, and his earliest timeline for return is four weeks. (SportsNet)
Watch Charles Barkley calls out JJ Redick over NBA ratings comments, “dead man walking.” (Awful Announcing)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Jimmy Butler’s Trade Request Shakes Up Miami Heat & Fantasy Basketball
Jan 2, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) looks on from the bench during the second half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol/Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
I’ve been hearing whispers about potential issues between Butler and the Heat organization for months now. Sources close to the situation indicated that the Heat were hesitant to offer Butler a contract extension, which reportedly left him feeling undervalued and frustrated.
Butler’s recent press conference comments, where he stated he may never regain his joy for playing basketball while with the Heat, seem to confirm these tensions. His on-court performance has also noticeably dipped, with Butler appearing disengaged and putting up subpar numbers.
From a fantasy perspective, Butler’s potential departure raises questions about who might step up in his absence. However, looking at games where Butler has been out this season, no clear beneficiary has emerged. Players like Jaime Jaquez Jr., Tyler Herro, and Duncan Robinson have failed to consistently produce starter-level fantasy numbers in Butler’s absence.
Click the button below to get the inside scoop on a rookie center’s breakout game.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pistons podcasts.
Cade Cunningham Outduels Kevin Durant, Detroit Pistons Star Has Arrived And Will Be An All-Star Cade Cunningham is making waves in the NBA, and the Detroit Pistons are at a pivotal moment. Can Cunningham’s stellar performance against the Phoenix Suns propel the Pistons into playoff contention?
Explore Cunningham’s breakout game, where he matched Kevin Durant’s prowess, scoring crucial points in the fourth quarter. The discussion highlights his season-long improvement, with impressive stats that position him among the league’s top playmakers.
The Detroit Pistons’ Bench Players Secured Victory Against Lakers, Completing Season Sweep Cade Cunningham shines as the Detroit Pistons sweep the Los Angeles Lakers, marking a pivotal moment in the NBA season. With Cunningham clinching the Eastern Conference Player of the Week, the Pistons’ recent victory is a testament to their evolving strategy and bench strength.
Detroit Pistons’ 3-1 Road Trip: A Turning Point In the Season? Can the Detroit Pistons maintain their momentum after a successful 3-1 road trip? With standout performances from Jaden Ivey and Paul Reed, the Pistons are making waves in the NBA. This episode breaks down the team’s recent victories against the Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, and Phoenix Suns, highlighting Ivey’s impressive shooting and Reed’s defensive prowess
