The injury bug has suddenly bitten the Eastern Conference leaders.
The Detroit Pistons will be shorthanded for a while after enjoying a healthy stretch that’s helped them lead the Eastern Conference. Now, they’ll have to fare without several of their starters for the next few games, as the team announced that Jalen Duren and Tobias Harris will be out with a left ankle and hip strain, respectively. Neither will travel to Cleveland for the Pistons' game against the Cavaliers on Sunday. ESPN reports that Duren will be reevaluated in one week, and Harris will be in two weeks.
In addition, reserve guard Caris LeVert is not traveling as he is day-to-day while recovering from right knee inflammation, leaving Detroit suddenly with several injuries to key players. Duren especially is a loss. He’s averaging 17.9 points and 10.6 rebounds per game.
Here is the full story from Pistons Roundtable writer Eric Rutter on what Detroit can do with their lineup in the absence of several impact players.
The Pistons will return home for a while with games against the Knicks, Bulls, Clippers, Suns, Pacers and Celtics after Sunday’s game in Cleveland. New York is on their heels as No. 2 in the Eastern Conference, as is No. 3 Boston. So, while the Pistons' starting lineup is thin, the next men up in Detroit will have to get through an important stretch to keep their conference lead.