Pistons’ Jodie Meeks unlikely to make regular-season return
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David Blair/Zuma Press/Icon Sportswire
According to a report from Aaron McMann of MLive.com, the Detroit Pistons may be without swingman Jodie Meeks for the remainder of the team’s hunt for the postseason. With 12 games remaining in the regular season and the Pistons in a virtual tie for the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot, it appears that Meeks will not return to aid the club’s push.
“No, I don’t,” said Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy when asked if he believed that Meeks could return to action. “Unfortunately.”
Meeks has most recently been listed as doubtful for the Pistons’ Monday matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks, and he’s been inactive since suffering a shoulder injury in practice early last week. He was on pace to finally return to the court after sustaining a broken right foot in the second game of the year on October 28.
Meeks was initially due back from the foot injury in early February, but it was determined that his foot hadn’t healed properly and his recovery was pushed back. Now this shoulder issue is just the latest setback.
The 28-year-old signed a three-year, $19.5 million deal with the Pistons July 2014 and has appeared in just 62 of a possible 152 games for the club. Averaging 11.1 points and 1.7 rebounds off the bench last season, the void left by Meeks down the stretch of this year has been filled by multiple players, including Stanley Johnson, Darrun Hilliard and Reggie Bullock.
The Pistons are attempting to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2009.
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