Pistons Face Tough Start Without Jaden Ivey In 2025-26 Season

Detroit, MI — The Detroit Pistons will face significant challenges as they open the 2025-26 NBA season without guard Jaden Ivey, who is out for at least a month due to injury. The Pistons kick off their season on the road against the Chicago Bulls, who are also missing shooting guard Coby White, sidelined for a couple of weeks.

After facing the Bulls, Detroit will travel to Houston to challenge a Rockets team that has championship aspirations after acquiring superstar Kevin Durant. Durant has historically performed well against the Pistons, averaging over 30 points per game in his career matchups against them.

The Pistons return home for a stretch of three games against formidable opponents: the Boston Celtics, who remain strong even without Jayson Tatum; the Cleveland Cavaliers, who dominated the Eastern Conference last season; and the Orlando Magic, bolstered by the addition of Desmond Bane. These matchups will test Detroit’s resilience early in the season.

Detroit will conclude the week in Mexico City facing the Dallas Mavericks. Out of their first seven games, six are against teams with playoff aspirations, raising the stakes for a roster that is already under pressure as they begin the season missing a key player.

Despite these obstacles, Pistons guard Cade Cunningham sees this as an opportunity to solidify his leadership role. The absence of Ivey could allow Cunningham to display his playmaking abilities, especially when going against elite defenses. The decision not to extend Ivey or fellow starter Jalen Duren before the season also adds to the urgency of their new contract situations.

Detroit’s new squad dynamic will be under scrutiny. While building a strong chemistry among the players, they also have to navigate the distractions that come with trade rumors and contract negotiations. This season will not only define their immediate future but could also impact how they approach the next years, especially with three starting players on expiring contracts.

Despite the mounting pressure, the Pistons are eager to demonstrate their growth after surprising the league last season by increasing their win total significantly and making the playoffs for the first time in years. Cade Cunningham’s recent performance during the preseason, which led the NBA in Player Efficiency Rating, has fans optimistic about their chances when the regular season begins.

If Detroit can manage to secure a winning record in these challenging early games, it will signal their determination and intent to remain competitive in the league. The Pistons aim to set a positive tone for the season as they wait for Ivey’s return and deal with the aftermath of the ongoing contract discussions.