Pistons are using a LeBron James plan with Jaden Ivey's injury return

Billy Heyen

Pistons are using a LeBron James plan with Jaden Ivey's injury return image

Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

It generated some headlines last week when LeBron James headed down to the G League as he worked his way back from injury for the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Detroit Pistons are following a similar path with Jaden Ivey, and no, it won't generate the same headlines, but it's a really good sign.

On Tuesday, the Pistons tweeted, "The Detroit Pistons announced today that guard Jaden Ivey has been assigned to the Motor City Cruise, the G League affiliate of the Pistons, as he continues his build up for return to play."

It's a chance for Ivey to get up to speed as he nears his return to NBA action.

MORE: Pistons' Daniss Jenkins is on his own Linsanity run

Ivey hasn't played yet this season.

He underwent an arthroscopic procedure on Oct. 16 to relieve right knee discomfort and was slated to be re-evaluated in four weeks.

Ivey was coming back after he had just recovered from a left fibula fracture he sustained 30 games into last season.

Ivey was the No. 5 overall pick out of Purdue in the 2022 NBA Draft.

He was putting up his best numbers yet in 2024-25 before his injury. His averages were 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 0.9 steals per game. Ivey was also shooting a career-high 40.9% on 3-pointers and 49.0% on 2-pointers.

The Pistons are playing great without Ivey. But getting a player of his talent back can only help the cause, and his return appears imminent.

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Contributing Writer