Pistons’ Jaden Ivey Becomes Third Rookie With Consecutive 20-point Games

Jaden Ivey on Monday put up his second straight 20-point game, but the performance was not enough as the Detroit Pistons lost to the Toronto Raptors.

Ivey produced a team-high 21 points, eight assists, four rebounds and one steal in the 115-111 loss. He scored 13 points alone in the fourth quarter and finished by shooting 6-of-16 from the field and 8-of-10 from the free-throw line in 34 minutes of work.

The fifth pick became the third rookie this season with consecutive 20-point performances (Paolo Banchero, Bennedict Mathurin). He is also the first rookie this season to total 21 points, eight assists and four rebounds in a game.

Pistons head coach Dwane Casey liked his shot creation in the game.

I thought his speed was the difference of getting into the paint and creating things for other people. I thought he did a good job of kicking out in those situations. It is a lot of pressure for a young man to close out a game like that but the only way he is going to learn is to go through it. … I thought Ivey put pressure on the defense with his speed and he got some great, open looks.

Ivey led the Pistons throughout the game and down the stretch late as they nearly overcame an 11-point deficit. He created for himself and his teammates and organized the offense well and looked comfortable as the floor general.

Ivey continued a strong start to the season with the performance on Monday. He has scored in double figures in all but one of his 14 games this season, the most such games by a rookie. He is quickly emerging as one of the top first-year players, as a result.

He looks to be as advertised as the fifth pick and is quickly emerging as a cornerstone for the Pistons. With Ivey and Cade Cunningham in the backcourt, the Pistons have arguably the top up-and-coming duo in the league on their roster.