Isaiah Stewart Ruled Out for Game 5 Against Knicks

Detroit, Michigan – Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart has officially been ruled out for Game 5 of the NBA playoff series against the New York Knicks on Sunday. Stewart has missed the last three games due to inflammation in his right knee, an injury he aggravated in Game 1.

After playing nearly 19 minutes in the opening playoff game, Stewart experienced physical setbacks. He recorded two points, five rebounds, and two blocks but did not play during the crucial fourth quarter. Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff emphasized the need to be cautious with Stewart’s health, leading to his limited minutes and subsequent absence from later games.

“Not having him obviously takes a lot away from us,” Pistons guard Cade Cunningham said after Game 3. “But it’s next-man-up mentality.”

Since Stewart’s injury, third-string center Paul Reed has stepped up, providing quality minutes off the bench. Reed’s playoff experience has been beneficial for the Pistons, but the team continues to feel the impact of Stewart’s absence, especially on defense.

The Pistons are down 3-1 in the series against the Knicks, facing a significant challenge to extend their playoff run. They will tip off against New York at 1 PM ET on Sunday.

Game 4 ended in a narrow 94-93 defeat for Detroit, highlighting the importance of every player’s contribution to the team. The Pistons are determined to bounce back and keep their playoff hopes alive, but they will need to do so without Stewart once again.