Jaden Ivey Returns to Action with the Pistons on a Historic Night
Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey made his season debut on Saturday night, following a long absence due to injuries. Ivey, visibly emotional, returned to the courts after more than ten months and two surgeries. In his first regular season game since January 1st, Ivey scored 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field, along with two assists and a steal in 15 minutes off the bench. This contributed to the Pistons’ 129-116 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, marking the team’s twelfth consecutive win.Ivey suffered a fibula fracture in his left leg during a New Year’s game, forcing him to miss the rest of last season. He participated in a preseason game before discomfort forced him to undergo right knee surgery on October 16.“I just cherished the moment of being back,” Ivey declared after the game. “Before going 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, to warm up and get back into the normal routine. But I felt a lot of gratitude to be back on the court.”
Jaden Ivey
Ivey’s return coincides with one of the best moments in the franchise’s history for the Pistons. Detroit’s 12-game winning streak ties for the third-longest in franchise history. The team record is 13, achieved twice (1989-90, 2003-04), seasons in which the Pistons won the NBA title.“It’s like seeing him in his natural state,” commented 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 think he looked very comfortable. It doesn’t seem like he’s been away for so long. It’s a credit to his work and how much time he has dedicated to it, but we are 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 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 a niche with the team and just connecting with the guys.”
Jaden Ivey
The victory on Saturday also highlights Detroit’s remarkable turnaround in recent seasons. Two seasons ago, in 2023-24, the Pistons finished with the worst record in the NBA (14-68). After Saturday’s victory, Detroit has the best record in the Eastern Conference (14-2).“I think it’s important,” said Cunningham, who finished with 29 points, 10 assists, and 8 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 an end to things like that and starting new streaks in our favor.”
Cade Cunningham
“The most important thing is that we’re still hungry,” said Jalen Duren, Pistons center. “Not everyone here went through that with us, but those who were here really understand and we still feel like we have a lot to prove. It feels good. As I keep saying, it’s early in the season, so we haven’t gotten anywhere. We still have a long way to go and a lot to grow.”
Jalen Duren
