Jaden Ivey's injury overshadows Pistons' win over Magic

Coty M. Davis, The Detroit News on Jan 1, 2025

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DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons began the calendar year with a four-game homestand at Little Caesars Arena. For most teams, a lengthy home schedule is an automatic recipe for success. However, the Pistons began the four-game stretch cautiously due to inconsistent play on their floor.

Coach J.B. Bickerstaff emphasized the importance of improving the Pistons' subpar play during their pre-game meeting. The Pistons have averaged 111.2 points and have produced a 5-8 record in the first 13 home games of the season. Away from LCA, Detroit has gone 9-10 with a scoring average of 113.

Bickerstaff's message led to the Pistons' first win of 2025, a 105-96 win over the Orlando Magic on Monday night. The Pistons improved to 15-18.

"We talked about it today amongst the guys with the emphasis of being better at home," Bickerstaff said. "When you look at the majority of our numbers, we have been better on the road than at home. So having this stretch in front of us, we want to do our best to take advantage of it and play good basketball at home."

Despite a few stagnant offensive possessions that led to careless turnovers, the Pistons looked like a completely different team that embarrassingly dropped their previous home game to the Utah Jazz on Dec. 19. Led by Jaden Ivey, who scored 10 of his 22 points in the first quarter, Detroit took control early by jumping out to a 15-5 lead.

However, Ivey's night came to an early end with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter. He got caught underneath Magic's Cole Anthony during a loose ball attempt and sustained an apparent lower left leg injury. He fell to the ground in agony and was unable to walk. Ivey was wheeled off the court on a stretcher.

Tobias Harris was essential in the Pistons' hot start by scoring seven of his 16 points in the period. His 3-point field goal to open the night gave Detroit a lead they never surrendered. A 17-point advantage (63-46) marked the Pistons' biggest lead of the half. Harris also recorded nine rebounds.

Cade Cunningham added 19 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. Jalen Duren added a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds.

The short-handed Magic gave the Pistons a slight scare late in the third quarter. With a 14-1 run, Orlando cut Detroit's once double-digit deficit down to five (80-75) with 1:18 left in the period. Jalen Suggs ignited the Magic's comeback by scoring 11 of his 24 points. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope finished with 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting, 4-of-6 from behind the arc.

Observations and notes vs. Magic

Isaiah Stewart's most impactful game since returning from injury: Isaiah Stewart said he was still trying to work his way back after missing four of the last five games due to a hyperextended left knee. Stewart had his most impactful performance since returning with seven points, eight rebounds and a block.

His best moment came at the end of the first half by forcing Suggs to miss a tough fadeaway jump shot. He defended the four-year guard one-on-one as Cunningham celebrated the defensive stop.

Malik Beasley with his worst performance of the season: Malik Beasley had his worst performance of the season, finishing with two points on 0-of-7 shooting, 0-of-4 from behind the arc.

Bickerstaff endorses Jamahl Mosley for COTY: Bickerstaff has a long-standing relationship with Magic coach Jamahl Mosley, and the two coaches are fond of each other’s respective careers. Before the Pistons’ win against the Magic, Bickerstaff endorsed Mosley for Coach of the Year honors this season.

Before the game, Bickerstaff noted that he had been impressed by Mosley's ability to keep Orlando as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference despite injuries to its All-Star caliber players, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. They are currently fourth in the conference with a 20-15 record after falling to the Pistons.

Up next

The Pistons will continue their homestand on Friday night against the Charlotte Hornets. The game will mark the first of a back-to-back set, concluding against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday. Tipoff between the Pistons and Hornets is slated for 7 p.m. at Little Caesars Arena.

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