The Detroit Pistons were shorthanded during their 115-105 preseason win against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, but they’re slowly returning back to full health.
Cade Cunningham and Frank Jackson missed most of training camp with right ankle sprains, and Killian Hayes was a late scratch Wednesday with a left ankle sprain. But Hayes and Jackson practiced on Friday, Casey said. Cunningham is further away from returning, and the team will see how he feels early next week.
FEEL THE ‘FRO: Pistons announce Ben Wallace as basketball operations, team engagement advisor
PRESEASON PREP: Pistons’ story lines to follow during exhibitions
“Killian came, he worked tonight,” Casey said. “Did a good job. Frank worked tonight. We’ll see where they are tomorrow, how they feel and how they respond. Cade is still a few days away, did a little bit more today. We’ll see where he is on Monday.”
The Pistons’ next preseason game is Monday in Memphis against the Grizzlies, meaning Hayes and Jackson could return in time. Casey said earlier this week that he wants Cunningham to get a few practices before he plays a game.
“They held me back a little bit, but I should be full go tomorrow,” Jackson said. “I feel good. Just a good week of recovery and getting back to where it should be.
“Sitting this last week, it’s been antsy. We’re just getting started and you’re gone. But we got a long season ahead of us and this ain’t my first rodeo. I know what to expect.”
Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @omarisankofa. The Free Press has started a new digital subscription model. Here’s how you can gain access to our most exclusive Pistons content. Read more on the Detroit Pistons and sign up for our Pistons newsletter.