Jaden Ivey, Alec Burks return for Detroit Pistons after missing 10 games combined
CHICAGO — The Detroit Pistons have been battered by injuries since opening night. On Sunday, two of their key reserves will return.
Jaden Ivey and Alec Burks will suit up against the Chicago Bulls (7 p.m., Bally Sports Detroit). Ivey had previously missed four straight games with an illness, and Burks missed the past six with an arm injury. Both players were spotted during the team's practice at their facility in New Center on Saturday, and head coach Monty Williams said Friday night Ivey was feeling better after fighting a viral infection.
"He was struggling for a while, so we were happy to have him back," Williams said. "He was getting shots up yesterday when I was in the gym, and then today he went through a little bit more. He’s had a viral thing and it just kicked his butt a bit."
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The Pistons are still without five players. Bojan Bogdanovic (right calf strain), Monte Morris (right quad strain) and Isaiah Livers (left ankle sprain) have yet to play this season, and Joe Harris (shoulder sprain) will miss his fourth consecutive game Sunday. They will also be without Jalen Duren, who has been shut down as he deals with persistent ankle soreness.
Ivey is averaging 11.8 points, 2.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 20.7 minutes off the bench in six games. His role has been reduced after starting 73 games as a rookie, but he has been among the team's most efficient scorers shooting 49.1% overall and 40.9% from 3. His lack of minutes compared to his rookie season has been a trending topic among fans and media, but Williams wants to set the right tone on defense to start games.
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He'll rejoin a deep guard rotation, as Killian Hayes and Marcus Sasser are both coming off their best week this season. Hayes in his past five games is averaging 16.2 points and 6.2 assists on 50% shooting and 40% from 3. Sasser has scored at least 19 points in three of his past five games on 48.5% shooting and 42.4% from 3.
The Pistons, who have lost seven straight, are 0-6 since Burks' injury. He was averaging 15 points off the bench while shooting 53.8% from 3. He and Ivey will fill out a depleted rotation that forced Williams to lean on two two-way players in Jared Rhoden and Stanley Umude.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Jaden Ivey, Alec Burks return to Detroit Pistons for Bulls game
