DETROIT -- Jaden Ivey stepped onto the floor of Little Caesars Arena as a starter for the first time in 371 days. The Detroit Pistons were minutes away from taking on the Chicago Bulls on Jan. 7, as Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Tobias Harris watched from the sideline because of their respective injuries. Ivey's first start of the season marked another milestone as
"Any time bodies go down, it's an opportunity. We will always make sure that we put J.I. in a position where he is comfortable first," Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. "We know what J.I. is capable of. When he is out there at his best and playing confident basketball, we know how impactful he can be."
The Pistons defeated the Bulls despite Ivey's limited contribution. He scored eight on 3-of-7 shooting in 20 minutes and did not play in the final period. The lack of playing time Ivey received in the fourth quarter was surprising, given that he recently revealed that he was no longer on a minutes restriction. Two days later, his second start followed the same course in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
In his last two games as a starter, Ivey has averaged 8.0 points on 36.8% shooting, to go with 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists. More notably, he has averaged 20.0 minutes per game, which two consecutive fourth-quarter benchings have highlighted.
Bickerstaff remains confident in Ivey's abilities to help the team win. However, while assessing the four-year guard, Bickerstaff emphasized the need to continue evaluating the Pistons' performance across rotations and each player's individual success.
"Trying to trust your gut and seeing what is in front of you and what the game needs," Bickerstaff said. "That's the thing about this team, you make decisions based on what you feel is right, and then the guys buy into it. They know that any given night will offer an opportunity, and how they take advantage of it."
Bickerstaff continued, "I'm fortunate to have the chance to coach that way, where guys do not have agendas or worry about themselves, where they do not think about their teammates or what is best for the team."
In each game, Ivey's struggles allowed other players to step up. Against the Bulls, the Pistons made a strong fourth-quarter comeback thanks to Chaz Lanier's impressive scoring, providing the team with the "spark" Bickerstaff was hoping for.
Bickerstaff also could not use Ivey's playmaking attributes, given that Daniss Jenkins had the team's offense clicking, as the second-year guard recorded nine of his career-best 15 assists during the period. Ivey played three minutes in the fourth quarter against the Clippers on Jan. 10. Although the Pistons still fell short, Detroit's best moments came when Ivey watched from the sideline.
"It just shows the depth of our team and how deep we are," Ivey said. "Obviously, we still have a long way to go, and it's a long season. But every guy has to be ready. That's why there are players who can come in and be effective and do their jobs."
Before going down with a pair of injuries, Ivey was a full-time starter in his first three seasons, averaging 30.0 minutes per game. Since making his debut against the Milwaukee Bucks on Nov. 22, his playing time has been nearly cut in half. Ivey has averaged 17.0 minutes, with much of his playing time coming between the first three quarters.
Ivey has shown promise of one day returning to the player he was before going down with a broken left fibula in January of last year. However, he must continue to do so while playing half as many minutes as he formerly did, which once made him a vital part of the Pistons' future.
Ivey is yearning for more minutes, but Bickerstaff will prioritize his gradual return to the lineup, putting the team's best interests first.
"I'm in a great space, moving forward one day at a time. My body feels good," Ivey said. "Whatever minutes I am given, when I am out there, I'm out there. It doesn't change my mind or my spirit."