Dwane Casey: Luke Kennard Could Return to Lineup Following Western Road Trip

• Image: Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Third-year guard Luke Kennard could return to the Pistons' lineup in the next week or two, according to head coach Dwane Casey. Casey stated that the sharpshooter could be back to playing following the team's western road trip, which started in Portland on Sunday and ends in Sacramento on March 1. Detroit's first home game following this slate comes against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 4, the most optimistic return date for Kennard.

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Kennard last played on December 21, and his absence - among other unfortunate events - has been a key reason for Detroit's shortcomings throughout the season. Despite being sidelined by knee tendinitis for the last two months, Kennard has experienced the "third-year leap" as one of the team's most important players. In 28 games this season, Kennard has averaged an impressive 15.8 points and 4.1 assists per game while shooting nearly 40 percent from three-point range.

In what has turned into a lost season for the Pistons, Kennard's return to the lineup will be welcomed, to say the least.