Detroit Pistons Rule Out Starter vs Miami Heat

The Detroit Pistons will be down a starting player against the Miami Heat.

Oct 28, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) and Miami Heat guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) battle for position to get a rebound during the second half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images / Rhona Wise-Imagn Images

Heading into their Monday night matchup against the Miami Heat, the Detroit Pistons anticipate playing without one of their starters as Tobias Harris has been ruled out for the contest.

According to the official NBA injury report, Harris is dealing with a right thumb sprain. He will miss a game for just the second time this season at home against Miami.

Last week, Harris was in the lineup when the Pistons paid a visit to the Boston Celtics after having a handful of days off. Harris checked in for 25 minutes. Late in the game, the veteran forward left the court with an apparent hand injury. He wouldn’t see the court for the remainder of the matchup.

Tobias Harris (thumb) listed out for Monday.

— Underdog NBA (@Underdog__NBA) December 15, 2024

When Harris left the game in Boston, he had produced nine points on 44 percent shooting from the field, along with eight rebounds and three assists. The Pistons went on to drop the matchup with a 24-point blowout loss against the defending champions.

Nov 12, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) shoots on Miami Heat forward Duncan Robinson (55) and guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) in the second half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

This season, Harris appeared in 25 games for the Pistons. He’s been knocking down shots at a 45 percent clip. While attempting four threes per game, he’s averaging 34 percent. Harris is producing 14 points, seven rebounds, and two assists per game in his second stint with the Pistons.

Jalen Duren Returns to the Action

While the Pistons anticipated having Jalen Duren in the lineup against the Celtics initially, he was downgraded hours before the matchup. According to the injury report, Duren was dealing with a wrist injury.

In his place, the Pistons started Isaiah Stewart once again. When the Pistons went through practice following the loss to Boston, Duren’s playing status for the matchup against the Heat on Monday was in question. After the Pistons released their Sunday night report, it was clear Duren is on pace to return.

Nov 12, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) dribbles defended by Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) in the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

This season, Duren has appeared in 23 games. He’s started every matchup he’s been a part of, seeing the court for roughly 24 minutes per game.

On offense, Duren has been averaging just under nine points while making 68 percent of his shots from the field. From the charity stripe, Duren is averaging around three free throws per game, knocking them down at a 58 percent clip. He’s been dishing out two assists per outing.

Defensively, Duren has been good for about nine rebounds per game. He’s also averaging a little over one block per game.

The Pistons and the Heat are set to tip-off at 7 PM ET on Monday.