Detroit Pistons Vs. New York Knicks Injury Report

With three games in the books, the Detroit Pistons already have three important players on their injury report entering tonight’s road matchup with the New York Knicks. 

Of course, All-Star center Jalen Duren has already been ruled out for the next week and a half as he continues to recover from a strained right hamstring suffered against the Miami Heat. Initially, Duren darted to the locker room in a hurry, which made his injury look potentially severe, but early indications suggest that JD could be back in the lineup around the time the Pistons host the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, Nov. 8. That date has not yet been publicly discussed as a return target for Duren, but it’s a game to keep in mind given his two week reevaluation schedule. In the meantime, expect for Paul Reed to slide into the starting lineup. 

Moving down the injury report, Detroit is closely monitoring Ausar Thompson’s health after he sprained his ankle against the Heat as well. In both instances, neither Thompson nor Duren re-entered the game against Miami after suffering their injuries, though Thompson’s appears to be of the minor variety since he’s already back participating in shootarounds. 

In fact, Thompson worked out prior to Detroit’s third victory of the regular season on Sunday night against the Philadelphia 76ers, but the Pistons still held the All-Defensive First-Teamer out of the contest for precautionary reasons. Two days later, Thompson still holds a questionable designation for tonight’s Eastern Conference battle against the defending NBA Champion New York Knicks, though he was spotted at shootaround earlier today already. 

To further amplify Detroit’s injury woes, the Pistons lost Isaiah Joe midway through their win over the 76ers when the sharp shooter took the aerial route for a thunderous tomahawk slam in transition. Joe came down hard near the baseline upon landing before exiting the game without returning. Officially, Joe was diagnosed with a hip contusion, and he’s also listed as questionable for tonight’s matchup. 

Moving to New York’s side of the battle, the only player of note currently on the injury report would be Jose Alvarado, who is currently dealing with an ankle issue. Right now, the Knicks plan to hold Alvarado out for the second consecutive game, which places slightly more pressure on Jalen Brunson to deliver against a Detroit defensive unit that gave him fits in each of their three meetings last season. 

Overall, the Knicks are a much healthier team entering tonight’s game, but they’re approaching the contest winless while the Pistons, on the other hand, are the only undefeated team left in the East after taking down the Celtics, Heat and 76ers in succession.