The Detroit Pistons are off to a strong start during the 2018-19 season, thanks in large part to the stellar play of Blake Griffin. However, second-year guard Luke Kennard has yet to make an impact after being selected with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft and, in short, it would greatly benefit the Pistons if the youngster made “the leap” in his sophomore campaign.
With that as the backdrop, Kennard appeared to making his biggest impact of the season on Thursday evening, making his first four shots and playing at a high level during Detroit’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Unfortunately, Kennard’s night was derailed by a shoulder injury before it could really get off the ground.
#Pistons Luke Kennard has a right-shoulder injury and will not return to the game. He was having a nice game.
— Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) October 26, 2018
Beyond that, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski notes there is some fear that Kennard could have a separation in the shoulder and the former Duke star will require an MRI on Friday.
Detroit guard Luke Kennard has suffered a right shoulder sprain — with a possible separation, league sources tell ESPN. He'll undergo an MRI on Friday.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 26, 2018
The Pistons do have other perimeter options, as evidenced by the fact that Kennard doesn’t quite have a stranglehold on a rotation spot at this juncture. Still, the theory behind Kennard is that he can be a near-elite shooter that also has the ability to create for others and, if he can hold up defensively, there is no reason to think that Detroit would not be able to utilize him as a quality rotation player in the future.
It remains to be seen as to the severity of this injury but both Kennard and the Pistons will be holding their breath as they await MRI results.
