The Detroit Pistons will be down some personnel for their regular-season opener against the Miami Heat on Wednesday, including key forward Bojan Bogdanovic.
The Croatian NBA veteran leads an injury list that also includes guard Monte Morris and forward Isaiah Livers, according to a Tuesday announcement from the team.
Bogdanovic, 34, missed most of training camp and the entire preseason due to a right calf strain. He will be reevaluated in four weeks, the Pistons said. Head coach Monte Williams disclosed Bogdanovic’s injury during the first week of camp. At the time, he said the team was being “really cautious” due to Bogdanovic’s injury history, per Mike Curtis of The Detroit News.
Bogdonac, the oldest player on the Pistons’ roster, began providing value to the young team after he was acquired from the Utah Jazz in September 2022. He played in 59 regular games last season, averaging 21.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists per contest.
Morris is another potential difference-maker who missed training camp and preseason for the Pistons. The 28-year-old’s absence was initially due to back spasms. But he sustained a right quad strain during a recent rehab session and will be reevaluated in 3 weeks, the team said. Morris landed in Detroit as part of a trade with the Washington Wizards during the offseason and will wait almost a month to make his debut.
Third-year player Isaiah Livers sustained a Grade III ankle sprain, the team announced on Media Day. According to Tuesday’s injury report, he is making progress in his recovery and will be evaluated in “approximately four weeks.”
In positive injury news, Killian Hayes was a full participant in practice Sunday after sustaining a left knee sprain that kept him out of Friday’s preseason game against the Dallas Mavericks. The 22-year-old started in two preseason contests.
It seems likely that Hayes could see an expanded role on Wednesday, along with Ausar Thompson, Jaden Ivey and Alec Burks.