Pistons’ Jaden Ivey returns from injury with clutch play in OT win

Cody Taylor
·2 min read
Pistons’ Jaden Ivey returns from injury with clutch play in OT win
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Jaden Ivey on Thursday returned from a three-game absence and had some clutch plays down the stretch to help the Detroit Pistons defeat the Dallas Mavericks in overtime.

Ivey produced 16 points, six assists, three rebounds and one steal in the 131-125 win at home. He went 6-of-15 from the field, including 2-of-7 from 3-point range, in 35 minutes of work off the bench as the Pistons snapped a three-game losing streak.

The fifth pick scored five points alone in overtime and had a key 3-pointer with 1:59 left to give the Pistons the lead. He also had a steal in the closing seconds that sealed the win for the Pistons.

Those late-game situations, Dwane Casey said, are key for the team.

It should magnify their sense of urgency, how important each possession is. The way Dallas was blitzing down the stretch, we came to the ball, moved the basketball out of those blitzes safely and got good looks and good shots. All of those things we talk about, we go through in shootaround but nothing magnifies it like an overtime game.

Ivey missed the last three games due to right knee soreness. Casey opted to bring him off of the bench for the first time this season after he had progressed in his recovery. He responded by giving the team a boost of energy and effort in the second unit.

Experiencing those clutch situations will be key for players like Ivey as the pressure is amplified with the game on the line. He is still learning to make the right plays in those scenarios, Casey said, but games like Thursday will go a long way for his development.

Ivey is emerging as a cornerstone player for the Pistons and is having a strong rookie campaign through the first quarter of the season. With Ivey in the fold, the future looks to be bright in Detroit.

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Story originally appeared on Rookie Wire