Detroit will be without a key player in their upcoming game against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.
The Mavericks are currently in the midst of a road trip, facing Detroit with a depleted frontcourt due to injuries to Dereck Lively II, Maxi Kleber, and Dwight Powell. Detroit has also faced a setback in their lineup. The NBA announced Friday morning that Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart has been suspended for one game following an altercation during the second quarter of Wednesday’s game against the Indiana Pacers, which led to his ejection. He was also fined $50,000 for making “inappropriate and objectionable gestures” after the ejection. Stewart already had four flagrant foul points this season and committed a Flagrant Penalty 2 foul, which triggered an automatic one-game suspension.
If Stewart accrues another flagrant foul later in the season, a Flagrant 1 would lead to a one-game suspension, while a Flagrant 2 would result in a two-game suspension. Given his previous behavior, another suspension wouldn’t be surprising.
With Stewart unavailable, Jalen Duren will continue as the starting center, averaging 10.2 PPG and 9.9 RPG. Tobias Harris has started 45 games as the power forward. Without Stewart to back up the frontcourt spots, Simone Fontecchio may see extra minutes at power forward, and Paul Reed might see additional time as backup center.
If the Mavericks can get Duren into early foul trouble, they would gain a significant advantage near the rim.
