NBA Injury Notes: Ivey Could Return for Pistons, Miller Nears Comeback for Hornets, Gillespie Impressing in Phoenix
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Pistons
Detroit may finally get Jaden Ivey back on the floor when the club visits Milwaukee on Saturday. The third-year guard is listed as questionable with a “return to competition reconditioning” tag, the first time this fall he has not been ruled out in advance.
Ivey underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in mid-October after experiencing preseason discomfort. He returned to on-court work last week and logged conditioning time with the G League’s Motor City Cruise. The former No. 5 overall pick has not appeared in an NBA game since fracturing his left fibula on Jan. 1.
Last season, the 22-year-old averaged 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists while shooting a career-best 49 percent from three. He is headed for restricted free agency next summer.
Despite several early injuries, Detroit has opened 13-2 under head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and carries an 11-game winning streak into Saturday. Forward Tobias Harris, out the past nine contests with a high ankle sprain, is also listed as questionable.
Hornets
Brandon Miller is expected to suit up against the Clippers on Saturday after missing 13 games with a partially dislocated left shoulder. The 2023 No. 2 overall selection is absent from Charlotte’s injury report.
Miller was hurt in the second game of the season following a strong opener. He played 74 games as a rookie but was limited to 27 last year after wrist surgery. The forward practiced this week with the Greensboro Swarm, the Hornets’ G League affiliate, and turns 23 on Saturday.
Miller owns career averages of 18.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists and remains central to Charlotte’s long-term plans. Guard Tre Mann is questionable with left ankle soreness as the Hornets try to halt a slide that has dropped them to 4-11.
Suns
Collin Gillespie is earning a regular role in Phoenix. Playing on a one-year minimum contract, the backup point guard is averaging 10.5 points and 5.1 assists in 24 minutes per game through 15 outings.
“I would like to be here long-term,” Gillespie told the Arizona Republic. “It’s 15 games into the season. I’m not even worried about that right now. Just play the year out, win a lot of games, and then focus on it after the season.”
Source: Hoops Wire
