Ahead of the pivotal playoff showdown, the Detroit Pistons are lagging behind the New York Knicks by 3-2. Adding to their complications, they have been facing a bug concern about the uncertainty of their key forward, Isaiah Stewart’s presence.
After his last appearance on the court in game 1, Stewart has missed consecutive playoff games and might lose another one in the upcoming matchup due to lingering knee damage. Despite his absence, the Pistons have managed to pull off a decent performance.
Isaiah Stewart’s Presence Casts A Shadow Over The Game 6 Showdown
The Pistons heavily depend on Isaiah Stewart’s physicality and ability to protect the basket, a crucial element of their defense. In game 1, playing for 19 minutes, he finished with two points on 1-of-2 shooting, five rebounds, assists, and two blocks, indicating an impactful contribution in limited minutes.
Coach John Blair Bickerstaff remarked on his effort and rim protection, stating, “He was phenomenal last night.” He added, “His effort, how he protected the rim, the energy he brought, how his teammates fed off his injury was huge.”
In the absence of Stewart, the Pistons must rely on collective efforts and contributions from the rest of the roster. As Coach Bickerstaff highlighted, each player must raise their level of play and make endless efforts to maintain their defensive strength to remain competitive.
As the series heads to the semifinal round, the Pistons will be highly anticipating Stewart’s healthy return, which can give them the momentum swing to beat the New York Knicks in the very last moment and survive to make the next semifinal clash.
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However, the team officials have not confirmed his availability for game six. He is still on the injury list and tagged as out; his availability is in the air.
