2:05pm: Ivey underwent successful surgery this morning to repair his broken fibula, the Pistons announced in a press release (Twitter link via Keith Langlois of the team’s website). Ivey will be reevaluated in four weeks, with additional updates on his status to come in the future.
10:38am: Pistons starting guard Jaden Ivey suffered a broken fibula in his left leg during Wednesday’s game against Orlando, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports.
According to Charania, Ivey is expected miss the majority of what’s left of his third season. While it’s still possible he could return at some point in 2024/25, Charania writes that Detroit will be cautious with 22-year-old during his recovery process.
It’s a serious blow to the vastly improved Pistons, who have won four of their last five games and are in the mix for the play-in tournament. Detroit is currently 15-18, the No. 9 seed in the East, after finishing last season with the worst record in the NBA (14-68).
Ivey was injured early in the fourth quarter of Detroit’s win over the Magic. Ivey and Magic guard Cole Anthony were battling for a loose ball and Anthony fell on the Pistons guard’s leg. The game was delayed for several minutes and Ivey was carried off on a stretcher.
The No. 5 overall pick in the 2022 draft, Ivey had been enjoying his best season as a pro so far in ’24/25, establishing new career highs in points (17.6) and rebounds (4.1) per game, as well as field goal percentage (46.0%) and three-point percentage (40.9%). He has started all 30 games he has played, averaging 29.9 minutes per night.
Detroit has already picked up its $10.1MM option on Ivey’s contract for next season. He’s eligible for a rookie scale extension during the offseason and it remains to be seen how this injury might impact those future negotiations.
Marcus Sasser, a 2023 first rounder, figures to see his playing time rise in Ivey’s absence.
Despite it being a brutal injury to witness or have happen to you, at least these heal up cleanly, Pistons season probably over but they should be viewed as a playoff team next season with Ivey.
Yes it’s devastating to happen to a young guy in the middle of his best season to date, but at least it’s not a ligament/meniscus/tendon tear. I hope he heals up quickly.
Right on, could of been far worse. Fibula isn’t a weight bearing bone, obviously a much higher chance of getting back 100%. Fun fact….when you have your ankle fused, your Fibula is cut into two and left like this forever. I mean it’s not ideal but Ivey will be OK.
This sucks…Pistons been bad so long, got some good young talent assembled. Ivey just making progression in development and boom. Head up young man.
I feel bad for this dude. Between crappy coaching and now this, he has had a rough start to his career. Hate to see this kind of stuff.
Here is hoping even without him Detroit keeps trending in a positive direction. I hate seeing the same franchises be at the bottom year over year. No fans deserve that.
First Hutch, now Ivey! Ouch! Wishing Ivey a full recovery and back on the court at the start of next season (if not sooner)
Ivey will recover well. If they miss his ball handling and playmaking, as a rental, DeRozan can be had for cheap. Could provide good mentorship and scoring/playmaking, and then next season, they evaluate to continue with him or trade him to a contender/free agency
And fight for the playoffs this season (let’s give a shot to Sasser and substituting Ivey in committee first, though)