Observations: Jaden Ivey needs to remain in the Pistons’ starting lineup

DETROIT — Little Caesars Arena witnessed another monotonous performance on Monday night, as the Detroit Pistons extended their losing streak to 12 games, falling to the Denver Nuggets.

Turnovers, an inability to protect leads, defensive inconsistency and a roster weakened by injuries have plagued the Pistons throughout this season, and the matchup against the Nuggets was no exception. Amidst the recurring negatives, one shining takeaway emerged on Monday that should become a permanent fixture for the Pistons: Jaden Ivey’s place in the starting lineup.

The 6-foot-4 combo guard demonstrated why he earned a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team last season, exploiting Denver as both a scorer and a playmaker. Displaying his skills as a facilitator, Ivey showcased his passing prowess by setting up rookie Ausar Thompson for an easy dunk early in the opening quarter.

Then a few minutes into the second quarter, Ivey engaged in a give-and-go with the returning Isaiah Livers, resulting in an effortless layup. Throughout the game, Ivey capitalized on every scoring opportunity, showcasing efficiency and making Denver pay for their lapses.

Ivey finished the game with 17 points on 88% shooting from the field, missing only one shot, and contributing four rebounds and three assists in his second consecutive start. His integration into the lineup alongside Cade Cunningham highlighted the potential of a formidable backcourt duo, provided they are given time to gel and figure things out.

Last season, Cunningham’s injury limited the backcourt’s potential to a mere 12-game sample size. Ivey’s performance on Monday underscored his importance to the ball movement and tempo of the offense, injecting a fluidity that had been absent in previous games.

Pistons head coach Monty Williams praised Ivey’s aggressive play and decision-making, emphasizing the importance of having a downhill player like him.

Williams stated, “He was making the right plays. He had to punish the shift three to Cade tonight, which was a really good play for J.I. It means he’s growing. He saw the crowd, he got off of it. Cade hits a three. And so we need that element of a downhill player, and he gives us that.”

Ivey earned his first start of the season against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday due to Killian Hayes’ shoulder sprain. Although a small sample size, Ivey has averaged 13.5 points on 57% shooting, 3.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. For the season, he maintains averages of 11.4 points, shooting 52% from the field, 35% from three-point range, and 80% from the free-throw line—a notable improvement from his rookie season.

With Hayes returning to action and seeing limited minutes, questions arise about the permanence of Ivey’s starting position. Whether Hayes’ reduced playing time is due to injury management or signals a more enduring change remains uncertain. However, Monday’s performance suggests that for the Pistons to break their losing streak and advance their offense, the Cunningham-Ivey backcourt should continue as the starting unit.

What happened to Marvin Bagley III?

Jaden Ivey wasn’t the sole catalyst for the Pistons’ offense on Monday; Marvin Bagley III also came out of the gate ready to contribute on both ends of the floor. In all five of his starts this season, Bagley has consistently displayed aggression on both ends, showcasing his skills on the glass and in the post. He also made it a habit to get to the free-throw line. In the first half against Denver, Bagley was 4-for-7 from the floor, leading the Pistons in scoring with 14 points and adding four rebounds in 17 minutes of action.

Despite his production, Bagley curiously played only nine minutes in the second half and barely four minutes in the final quarter.

In the latter stages, it seemed the Pistons needed someone of his size to defend the paint, especially since the Nuggets had little trouble scoring at the rim. Bagley concluded the game with 18 points on 54% shooting from the field and eight rebounds. Unfortunately, there was no explanation for Bagley’s restricted playing time, but it certainly played a role in the Pistons’ downfall against the Nuggets.