Detroit Pistons‘ center Andre Drummond will not play against the Oklahoma City Thunder Monday night due to an ankle sprain.
The 6-foot-11 Connecticut product suffered the injury during their game versus the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. Although it does not appear too serious, the Pistons are taking a cautious approach on their All-Star center's ankle and will not risk aggravating it.
X-rays and an MRI were done to check the extent of the injury and the good news for the Detroit faithful is that results came back negative and he is only listed as day-to-day.
Drummond has been playing at a high level to start the season with averages of 14.9 points, 14.3 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. But the stat that has turned a lot of heads so far in the young season for him is his much-improved free-throw shooting, as he is now up to 53.1 percent. It may not be an eye-popping percentage but it's the highest he's had in his career.
Head coach Stan Van Gundy understands what they'll be missing with Drummond not playing against the Thunder and discussed what it meant for his team.
“You lose Andre, you lose a lot of stuff. He was an all star. Even though we always want more out of him, more out of him, more out of him, the guy is an all star and when you have him it's a significant loss.”
“I don't know anybody who plays without all stars and doesn't feel it.”
Aron Baynes is expected to start in Drummond's place while Boban Marjanovic and Jon Leuer possibly seeing an uptick in their minutes.
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