DETROIT — Rookie guard Daniss Jenkins delivered 15 points, seven assists and two steals in 21 minutes off the bench Tuesday against Washington, answering an immediate need after Cade Cunningham exited with a left back contusion.
Jenkins, converted from a two-way deal to a standard contract on February 8, had struggled since the promotion. Tuesday’s performance gives him a fresh chance to secure minutes with Cunningham’s return date still unknown.
“Don’t get too high, don’t get too low,” Jenkins said postgame. “I shot out of a cannon and then hit some rough patches. I take it on the chin and keep working.”
Early-season opportunity, midseason slump
Injuries to Jaden Ivey, Caris LeVert and Marcus Sasser opened the door for Jenkins early in the season, and he rapidly exhausted his 50-game two-way limit with several high-scoring outings. He was elevated to the 15-man roster shortly after the trade deadline but slipped into an extended slump. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff benched him following a March 7 loss to Brooklyn, later encouraging the 25-year-old to “just be me.”
Rotation in flux
Bickerstaff continues to juggle lineups while Cunningham and forward Isaiah Stewart (strained left calf, at least one more week) remain sidelined. Sasser and Kevin Huerter have recently reclaimed rotation spots, and reserve center Paul Reed has logged additional minutes with Stewart out.
“We’ve dealt with this a lot,” Bickerstaff said Tuesday. “Tonight was an opportunity to give guys minutes and see what they can do. It’s important to find the right combinations for the different situations we might face.”
Injury updates
Cunningham has already been ruled out of Thursday’s rematch with Washington. Ausar Thompson, returning Sunday from a right ankle sprain, was limited to 23 minutes, finishing with four points and three assists under a minutes restriction. “His effort and defense were great,” Bickerstaff noted. “He’s just working his way back.”
The Pistons continue a four-game homestand Thursday, still evaluating timelines for their injured starters and the evolving roles of their healthy reserves.
Source: Hoops Rumors
