With just eight games remaining in the regular season, the Detroit Pistons are within a stone’s throw of the NBA playoffs, and tonight’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder could provide a preview for what an early June meeting between the two squads could look like– sort of. 

After defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 109-87 on Saturday night, the Pistons are battling more than a handful of injuries ahead of today’s away game. In fact, the entirety of Detroit’s normal starting lineup could miss the highly anticipated Thunder matchup. 

Of course, All-Star point guard Cade Cunningham is unavailable as he continues to rehab his collapsed lung after suffering the injury nearly two weeks ago. Cunningham was given a two-week time period before he would be reevaluated, so the dynamic floor general is reaching the tail end of that timeframe, and more information on his condition should be available soon. 

Apart from Cunningham, the Pistons’ next most serious injury belongs to Isaiah Stewart. Out for over two weeks now himself, Stewart is working to recover from a left calf strain, and the defensive force’s presence has been missed down in the low post in the meantime. Beef Stew had just returned from suspension before he picked up that calf strain, so the rim-protecting savant has had one dose of bad luck after the other lately. 

As for Jalen Duren, the Pistons center has seen his volume skyrocket during Cunningham’s absence as Detroit leans even more on their big man in the paint. Duren is currently listed as doubtful to play tonight due to a right knee injury, so the Eastern Conference leaders may shift Paul Reed into the lineup as a replacement. During the second half of the season, JD has averaged over 24 points and 12 rebounds per game, so his absence against Oklahoma City will be unmistakable. 

Tobias Harris (left hip) and Duncan Robinson (right hip) are both listed as doubtful to play as well with a pair of hip issues that have slowed down the veteran pair. And to round out the Pistons’ starting lineup, Ausar Thompson is also listed as questionable with a right ankle issue, so Detroit looks to be significantly shorthanded for the primetime tip-off. 

UPDATE: Duren, Harris and Robinson have all been ruled out with over three hours still to go before tip-off. 

On the other side of the matchup, the Thunder are entering tonight’s contest in a much more healthy position. Now, Oklahoma City did play last night against the New York Knicks, so the home squad is on the tail end of a back-to-back and could choose to rest a few players as a result. But for now, Thomas Sorber is the only player who’s already been ruled out for tonight’s game, and he tore his ACL back in the offseason so that’s a given. 

UPDATE: Jalen Williams (hamstring) and Isaiah Hartenstein have also been ruled out for the Thunder, so there will be a few absences on each side of the equation for tonight's game. The Thunder are still much less hampered by injuries at key positions, though. 

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