Detroit Pistons’ Kelly Olynyk out at least six weeks with MCL sprain in left knee

Detroit Free Press

The Detroit Pistons announced Thursday night that center Kelly Olynyk suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee during Wednesday’s win over the Rockets in Houston.

Olynyk is expected to miss at least six weeks before he’ll be re-evaluated.

The 6-foot-11 reserve is averaging 12.5 points and 5.3 rebounds in 10 games this season after signing as a free agent during the offseason. He is among the team leaders in 3-point shooting, making 34.1% on 4.1 attempts per game.

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The injury occurred in the fourth quarter of the Pistons’ 112-104 win, after Olynyk bumped knees with a Rockets player while being called for an offensive foul with 3:05 remaining. Olynyk stayed in the game, but committed his sixth personal foul on the ensuing Houston possession and seemed to be favoring his knee. He finished the game with 13 points (3-for-6 on 3-pointers) and six rebounds in 26 minutes.

Olynyk’s absence would seemingly open the door for Luka Garza, a 2021 second-round pick out of Iowa, to get minutes behind Isaiah Stewart at center. Trey Lyles may also see some time in the middle with some small-ball lineups.

Contact Kirkland Crawford: kcrawford@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @HiKirkHere.

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