Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey underwent surgery on his left leg, one day after breaking his fibula in a collision during a win over the Orlando Magic.
The Pistons announced on Thursday that Ivey will be re-evaluated in four weeks.
“I promise to come back even better,” Ivey wrote in a social media post. “The recovery starts now #DetroitBasketball.”
Detroit selected Ivey with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2022 draft, and the former Purdue standout was having a breakout season. He was averaging 17.6 points and 4.1 rebounds — both career highs — along with four assists in 30 games this season.
The injury occurred when Orlando’s Cole Anthony slipped and fell as he and Ivey reached for the ball.
Anthony’s momentum carried him into Ivey’s planted leg, causing Ivey to fall to the floor. The 22-year-old Ivey appeared to be in serious pain, clutching his shin, and the team’s medical staff quickly came to his aid.
Members of the training staff held up towels to block the crowd’s view of the injury, while players from both teams gathered around him. After a lengthy delay, Ivey was loaded onto a stretcher and wheeled out of the arena, with a towel covering his injury.
“It is tough for all of us,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said after Detroit’s 105-96 victory. “There’s no better person or teammate than J.I. and no one cares more about this than he does.”
