Jaden Ivey Returns to Action: Excitement and Victory for the Pistons
Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey made his season debut on Saturday night, after being out of the courts for more than ten months and undergoing two surgeries. His return was marked by emotion and the desire to play again. In his first regular season game since January 1st, Ivey scored 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting, plus two assists and a steal in 15 minutes off the bench. This contributed to the Pistons’ 129-116 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, the team’s twelfth straight.Ivey suffered a fibula fracture in his left leg during a game on New Year’s Day, forcing him to miss the rest of last season. He participated in one game during the preseason before discomfort in his right knee required surgery on October 16.“I simply cherished the moment of being back out there tonight,” Ivey commented after the game. “Before I went in, I was trying to take it all in because it’s been a long time. It took me a while to get used to it. Get used to warming up and going through the normal routine again. But I felt a lot of gratitude to be back out there.”
Jaden Ivey
The return of Ivey coincides with one of the best moments in Pistons history. The 12-game winning streak ties for the third-longest in franchise history. The team record is 13, which has happened twice (in 1989-90 and 2003-04). The Pistons won the NBA championships at the end of each of those seasons.“It’s like seeing him in his natural state,” said Cade Cunningham, Ivey’s teammate. “With the jersey on, playing, on the court. It’s like seeing him at home. And today he looked good. I thought he looked very comfortable out there. It doesn’t seem like he’s lost as much time as he has. So it’s a credit to his work and the time he’s dedicated to it, but we’re all very happy that he’s back.”
Cade Cunningham
Detroit also snapped a 13-game losing streak against Milwaukee, who had swept the season series between the two teams in each of the last three seasons. Before Saturday morning’s game, Cunningham reminded his teammates how long it had been since they beat Milwaukee.“When I last played, it was very different,” Ivey said. “I feel like we found as a team, a niche with the team and just connecting with the guys.”
Jaden Ivey
“I think it’s important,” Cunningham said, who finished with 29 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds. “I don’t think any franchise should have that over us. We take playing for the Pistons seriously. So that’s part of representing this, putting the touch on things like that and starting new streaks in our favor.”
Cade Cunningham
Saturday’s victory also highlighted the notable turnaround for Detroit in recent seasons. Two seasons ago, in 2023-24, the Pistons finished with the worst record in the NBA at 14-68. After Saturday’s victory, Detroit has the best record in the Eastern Conference at 14-2.
“The most important thing is that we are still hungry,” said Jalen Duren, Pistons center. “Not everyone here went through it with us, but those who were here really understand and still feel that we have a lot to prove. It feels good. As I keep saying, it’s early in the season, so we’re not anywhere. We still have a long way to go and a lot to grow.”
Jalen Duren
