The Detroit Pistons announced that forward Bojan Bogdanovic will be out at least four weeks with a right calf strain. This comes after Bogdanovic missed most of training camp and the preseason with the same injury.
Pistons head coach Monty Williams said after practice on Sunday that Bogdanovic and Monte Morris, who is also out for three weeks with a right quad strain, are both getting closer to returning. However, at that time Williams ruled both Bogdanovic and Morris out for Detroit's season opener against the Miami Heat on Wednesday.
Bogdanovic is coming off a career year with the Pistons, where he averaged 21.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists. While the Pistons are in the midst of a rebuild with a bevy of young, promising players, Bogdanovic provides efficient offense for Detroit. Not having Bogdanovic to start the season means Detroit will have to find scoring in other places.
Fortunately, the Pistons are getting Cade Cunningham back in the lineup after the third-year guard missed all but 12 games last season with a stress fracture in his left leg. Cunningham averaged 17.4 points, 5.6 assists and 5.5 rebounds in his rookie campaign, and is poised for to build on that after missing most of last season. There's also second-year guard Jaden Ivey who can step up in Bogdanovic's absence with the scoring, after putting together an impressive rookie season that saw him average 16.3 points and earn All-Rookie honors.
Detroit will certainly still feel Bogdanovic's absence, but it will also give the younger players an opportunity to step up in his place.
