The Detroit Pistons are gearing up for a Saturday matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 28.
Detroit’s veteran center Jalen Duren headlines the Pistons’ injury report ahead of the contest. However, the Pistons announced that Duren’s status would be upgraded.
After being downgraded to questionable on the initial injury report release, Duren was upgraded to probable. Barring any unexpected changes, Duren should be good to go for Saturday’s action.
Pistons Remain Shorthanded Against Minnesota
Although Duren has been on Detroit’s injury report over the past few games, the veteran center has managed to push through his minor ailment (knee injury management) to make sure the team didn’t reach uncomfortable levels of shorthanded.
Not only is the injury report loaded with key names who are dealing with minor setbacks, but the Pistons have two very key rotation pieces out for an extended period of time.
It started with the veteran center, Isaiah Stewart. After Duren’s backup suffered a calf strain, Stewart was automatically ruled out for one week of action. His absence will seemingly extend past that mark. Stewart is on pace to miss his eighth game in a row on Saturday.
After Stewart went down, the Pistons found themselves playing without Cade Cunningham as well.
During the team’s March 17 matchup against the Washington Wizards, Cunningham went down with a collapsed lung just five minutes into the game. He has been ruled out for several weeks and is in danger of missing the rest of the regular season.
Saturday’s game marks the sixth-straight absence for Cunningham.
Where The Pistons Stand
The Cunningham injury instilled fear in the Pistons, who thought they might lose control of the No. 1 seed. It turns out they might be alright.
With a 53-20 record, the Pistons remain the top team in the Eastern Conference. The second-seeded Boston Celtics are 4.0 games back.
That’s a comfortable cushion for Detroit, who has won eight of its last 10 games. A matchup against the fifth-seeded (Western Conference) Minnesota Timberwolves won’t be easy, but another win would place the Pistons in a great spot moving forward.
Duren is in a good spot to help his team get to win No. 54.