Jaden Ivey Out for Start of Season After Knee Surgery

Detroit, MI – The Detroit Pistons will start the 2025-26 NBA season without shooting guard Jaden Ivey. The team announced on Thursday that Ivey underwent a procedure to relieve discomfort in his right knee. This issue is unrelated to the broken leg that sidelined him for a significant portion of last season.

Ivey’s recovery from the knee procedure will take at least four weeks, which means he will likely miss at least the first month of the season. As a result, the Pistons will navigate the early games without one of their promising young talents.

Ivey was expected to play a vital role this season after averaging 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in the previous season before his injury. He showed signs of becoming a co-star alongside Cade Cunningham, but now his return will depend on his recovery timeline.

During his absence, the Pistons will rely on offseason additions and other guards to fill the gap in the backcourt. Veteran players are expected to step up, whether through extended minutes or new roles, as Detroit prepares for the challenges ahead in the coming weeks.

Shams Charania of ESPN reported that if all goes well, Ivey could return by November 14 against the Philadelphia 76ers. However, after missing considerable time, he may face hurdles to regain form. Ivey appeared in just one of the Pistons’ three preseason games and will need time to readjust after more than ten months away from competitive play.

The Pistons have high hopes for the season following a playoff run in the previous year, but with uncertainties around Ivey’s health, team management is aware that they may need to evaluate their approach moving forward. Ivey is set to enter restricted free agency in 2026, making his performance this season even more critical.