Photo: Zariq Turner/Bully Ball The Pistons have struggled to maintain a healthy roster throughout the first month of the 2023-24 season. Injuries to key players such as Bojan Bogdanovic and Jalen Duren have played a role in derailing a season set with higher expectations, while injuries to anticipated rotation players Monte Morris and Isaiah Livers haven’t helped either. That being said, it does appear the team is finally starting to get a bit healthier, and reinforcements should be on the way soon. Here’s what we know about each injured player’s current status: Isaiah Livers After missing the team’s first 14 games of the season, Livers made his season debut on Monday night against the Denver Nuggets, finishing with six points on 1-7 shooting in 22 minutes along with four rebounds and an assist. The Pistons have been making do with minutes on the wing from the recently signed Kevin Knox and two-way forward Stanley Umude, making the return of Livers significant. Livers has appeared in just 72 games over the course of his career, with several injuries derailing portions of each of his three seasons in the league. The University of Michigan product appeared in 52 games last season (22 starts) and averaged 6.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.5 blocks per game on 36.5% shooting from the 3-point line. 
Photo: Zariq Turner/Bully Ball Jalen Duren Monty Williams said pregame on Monday night that Duren is playing 3-on-3, and he expects the sophomore center to return “soon.” He’s missed six games due to a nagging right ankle injury – an injury he also missed time for last season. Duren started off the 2023-24 campaign strong, averaging 18 points, 15.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.7 blocks in the team’s first three games of the season, but cooled off shortly after. Detroit has been surviving his absence by committee, with Isaiah Stewart, Marvin Bagley, and James Wiseman soaking up minutes in his leave. The Pistons desperately need Duren to come back strong as the frontcourt has struggled mightily in his absence. Monte Morris While there haven’t been too many official updates regarding the return of Monte Morris, the guard has taken to social media a few times to say he’s nearing a return. Morris was one of the bigger offseason additions to Detroit’s roster, and his veteran presence should bring a sense of stability to a backcourt (and team) struggling to protect the basketball all season. Morris boasted a 5.4 assist-to-turnover ratio last season, the best in the league. The Pistons currently are dead last in turnovers per game, committing 17.4 each contest. 
Photo: Monte Morris/Bully Ball Bojan Bogdanovic and Joe Harris There hasn’t been an official update from the Pistons regarding Bojan Bogdanovic since October 24th when the team said he’d be evaluated in four weeks. Keeping that timeline in mind, an update should be coming in the near future. Bogdanovic has been around the team, both at home and road games, throughout his absence. The 33-year-old forward led the team in scoring last season and was set to be a key piece this season as a member of the starting lineup. There’s speculation around the league that teams are monitoring Bogdanovic’s return with hopes of trading for him if he’s healthy and playing well. When he returns, Bogdanovic should play a crucial role for Detroit – as long as he remains a member of the organization. Harris has been out with a right shoulder sprain but was seen on the court pregame getting shots up on Monday night. He’s been out since November 7th and is scheduled to be reevaluated in 10-14 days from the 7th. Only five players have appeared in every game for Detroit this season: Cade Cunningham, Isaiah Stewart, Ausar Thompson, Marvin Bagley, and Marcus Sasser. Alec Burks has missed six games and Jaden Ivey sat out four games with an illness. Health has been tough to come by for the team sporting the worst record in the league. With the return of Isaiah Livers and a positive update on Jalen Duren, the hope is that the team will be getting more expected rotation players back sooner rather than later. https://www.youtube.com/embed/5eg9rcnTS ... ransparent
Source: https://palaceofpistons.com/2023/11/21/ ... ed-piston/