The Detroit Pistons will be without one of their starting guards for at least two more games.
Killian Hayes will miss their home game against Miami on Tuesday and road contest in Milwaukee on Wednesday with a sprained left thumb, the team announced Monday. Hayes sat out the 121-116 melee-marred loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.
Hayes has been dealing with the injury for some time, and aggravated it during a fall against Indiana on Wednesday and again against Golden State on Friday.
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“That’s the tough thing about thumbs and fingers in this league,” coach Dwane Casey said before Sunday’s game. “During the season, it’s very difficult to give it a chance to fully heal because you’re always going to get hit.”
Hayes is being given more time off as the medical staff tries to relieve some of the soreness in the thumb while increasing its mobility. His status will be updated at the end of the week. The second-year lottery pick is averaging 5.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. He collected his first career double-double a week ago in Toronto, despite getting slapped on the thumb and missing most of the third quarter.
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The game against the Bucks begins a five-game road trip for the Pistons.
The team is still awaiting word on any discipline for center Isaiah Stewart, who was ejected on Sunday for “multiple unsportsmanlike acts.” Stewart tried numerous times to retaliate after LeBron James hit Stewart in the face. Stewart required eight stitches to close a cut near his eye.
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