The Detroit Pistons opened up preseason play with a loss on Thursday against the Nets in Brooklyn, but the bigger loss came before the game. The team announced that point guard Reggie Jackson will miss six to eight weeks with a knee injury. Head coach Stan Van Gundy says surgery is unlikely, but Jackson will not play at all this preseason, or to begin the regular season.
The injury came to the forefront when Jackson missed Tuesday's practice. He told reporters afterward that he has been battling tendinitis in his knee for years. Although, this is the first time he will miss an extended period of time because of it.
After spending the first few years as a backup with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jackson was traded to the Pistons and immediately became a starter. The 26-year-old averaged a career-high 18.8 points per game last season as a full-time starter, leading Detroit to their first playoff appearance since 2009. Off-season acquisition Ish Smith will start during Jackson's absence.
The injury came to the forefront when Jackson missed Tuesday's practice. He told reporters afterward that he has been battling tendinitis in his knee for years. Although, this is the first time he will miss an extended period of time because of it.
After spending the first few years as a backup with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jackson was traded to the Pistons and immediately became a starter. The 26-year-old averaged a career-high 18.8 points per game last season as a full-time starter, leading Detroit to their first playoff appearance since 2009. Off-season acquisition Ish Smith will start during Jackson's absence.
