NEW YORK – The Detroit Pistons are on the brink of elimination, and they will continue to be without center Isaiah Stewart in their crucial Game 5 vs. the New York Knicks.
On Tuesday (April 29), an NBA injury report designated Beef Stew with a questionable tag. However, with everything on the line, Stewart was ruled out as the Pistons trailed the Knicks 3-1 in this best-of-seven series.
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After missing the final two games of the regular season, Stewart had a full week to recover ahead of the first round of the NBA playoffs as the Knicks awaited them inside Madison Square Garden.
Beef Stew wasn’t on the injury report ahead of Game 1, where he played 18 minutes.
His presence filled the arena off the rip, and the Knicks fans filled MSG with jeers when he touched the court.
During that matchup, he recorded five rebounds and two blocks, but he was held out of the action for the remainder of the fourth quarter as the Knicks went on a 21-0 run en route to a 123-112 victory.
The defensive impact from Stewart was clear, as he recorded five rebounds and registered two blocks.
Despite being a plus-eight in 18 minutes of action, Stewart was held out for most of the fourth quarter, even when the Knicks went on a major run to form a comeback against the Pistons.
After the game, Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Stewart missed the fourth quarter due to his knee.
Following an MRI ahead of Game 2, he was ruled out. Although the Pistons took Game 2 without Stewart, his presence has truly been missed as Karl-Anthony Towns has been a menace, dominating the Pistons’ frontcourt.
Look for Paul Reed to step in as the Pistons fight to stave off elimination.
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