Bojan Bogdanovic, Jalen Duren Nearing a Return, Monte Morris to be Re-Evaluated in 6-8 weeks
The Detroit Pistons finally provided updates on three key injuries, though only two of them represent positive news.
Sharpshooter Bojan Bogdanovic, who has missed all of the regular season with a calf strain, has been cleared for full contact and has begun a return to play progression. The anticipation is that Bogdanovic will be able to practice with the team in coming days ahead of a return to the court. That would be a big boon to the Pistons' offense that ranks 26th in the league, and is near the bottom in number of three-pointers attempted. Bogdanovic was the team's leading scorer last season.
Center Jalen Duren is also on his way back and is expected to return to practice this week. Duren has missed the last five games with an ankle injury. Detroit suffers on the defensive end without Duren, allowing 7.9 fewer points per 100 possessions with him on the court versus off per Cleaning the Glass. The rim protection with him on the floor makes a big difference.
The downer part of the report is in relation to point guard Monte Morris. The Pistons say he received a platelet-rich plasma injection, used to help heal damaged tendons or muscles, and will be re-evaluated in 6-8 weeks. That does not necessarily mean he will return to the court in 6-8 weeks, but that the team will likely provide a clearer update as to when he could come back. That is a tough blow to a team that could have used Morris as a stable presence with the ball in his hands. Detroit is dead last in the league in turnovers per game, while Morris has averaged no less than one turnover per game for his career.