The Detroit Pistons lost an important player early in Tuesday’s preseason game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Marvin Bagley III had to be helped off of the floor after slipping on the foot of Thunder forward Jalen Williams with 11:04 remaining in the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena. His right knee bent at an awkward angle, and couldn’t put any weight on his right leg as Cade Cunningham, Isaiah Stewart and Buddy Boeheim helped him walk to the tunnel.
It was Bagley’s second straight start. Jalen Duren, questionable before the game with shoulder soreness, subbed in for him and played seven first-quarter minutes before exiting with three fouls. Bagley was ruled out of the game, and it isn’t yet known if his injury will cause him to miss extended time.
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The Pistons signed Bagley to a three-year, $37.5 million contract in free agency this summer. If he were to miss time, Duren, the youngest player in the 2022 draft picked No. 13 overall, would be in line to see playing time. The Pistons traded Kelly Olynyk in the Bojan Bogdanovic trade, and Nerlens Noel has yet to suit up as he recovers from plantar fasciitis.
The Pistons open the regular season Oct. 19 vs. Orlando.
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