Could Jaden Ivey make a dramatic return for the Pistons in the playoffs? It's not out of the question.
A little more than three months after he broke his left leg, Ivey has been cleared for basketball activity, the Pistons announced Thursday. The Pistons wrap up the regular season this weekend, with the playoffs set to begin next Saturday, April 19.
Ivey will "now enter the beginning phase of a re-conditioning progression along with a continued progression of court work," per Thursday's update. The former fifth overall pick was having a breakout season at the time of his injury, averaging 17.6 points, 4.0 assists and shooting over 40 percent from three in 30 games.
Asked Monday on 97.1 The Ticket about Ivey's status ahead of the playoffs, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff preached patience and said, "We’re not going to rush J.I. back in any sense. It’s just too important, his long-term health. So he’ll take his day by day (rehab) and if things work out, they work out, but we’re not going to rush him and put him in any danger in the long-term."
The Pistons are currently the sixth seed in the East, slated to play the Knicks in the first round. But they could jump the Bucks for the fifth seed and set up a first-round clash with the Pacers by winning their final three games, the last two of which come against Milwaukee.
Ivey's injury occurred Jan. 1.