Duke basketball in NBA: Update on Marvin Bagley III's knee injury

The former Duke basketball one-and-done might be back in less than a month.

Matt Giles | Oct 14, 2022

Former Duke basketball big man Marvin Bagley III (Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports)

In this story:

Duke Blue Devils

Duke basketball product and current Detroit Pistons starting center Marvin Bagley III suffered a scary injury to his right knee on Tuesday night. At the time of the fall, less than one minute into a preseason home loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, it looked like another potentially major setback to the 2018 NBA Draft's No. 2 overall pick.

But the MRI he underwent on Wednesday provided a sigh of relief, given the awkwardness of his injury and the grimace on his face immediately afterward.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Bagley, a potential starter this season for a young Pistons squad, will miss three to four weeks with a bone bruise and sprained medial collateral ligament.

If that timeline holds up, the 23-year-old will likely miss only about a dozen games to start the regular season, which tips off next week.

Bagley, who has dealt with many injuries as a pro and has missed 20 or more games each season he's been in the league, arrived in Detroit in February as part of a four-team trade. Before that, Duke basketball's 2018 ACC Rookie and Player of the Year had played for only one NBA team: the Sacramento Kings.

In his 18 games as a Piston last season, Marvin Bagley III averaged 14.6 points and 6.8 rebounds while shooting 55.5 percent from the field across his 27.9 minutes per outing.

He signed a three-year deal with Detroit in the offseason, with a reported $12.5 million annual salary.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country for daily Duke basketball content.

Published Oct 14, 2022

MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.