Isaiah Stewart out for Game 2 vs. Knicks in Pistons injury crusher
Pistons defensive stalwart Isaiah Stewart won’t play Monday night in Game 2 of their first-round series against the Knicks.Stewart was listed as questionable with right knee inflammation ahead of Game 2 before being reported as out less than three hours before the game.It’s a major loss for the Pistons, who rely on Stewart to be their air-traffic controller on defense.His status for the remainder of the first-round series remains unclear.Stewart limped into the playoffs as the same right knee issue sidelined him for the Pistons’ final two regular-season games.Stewart, a product of Rochester, labored through most of his 19 minutes of action in the Knicks’ 123-112 win Saturday.He was seen wincing after an alley-oop dunk in the first quarter.He appeared to be dealing with discomfort in his right leg before he checked out for the final time at the 9:06 mark of the fourth quarter.SNY reported that Stewart underwent imagining on his right leg Saturday night.Stewart’s availability moving forward will have major implications on this first-round series for the Pistons.Stewart has been the best rim protector in basketball since Spurs star Victor Wembanyama went down with an injury mid-February.Stewart is the Pistons’ defensive anchor.Not only does he patrol the paint, but his versatility and size allows him to move in space and guard the perimeter as well.Whenever Stewart is off the floor, his absence is felt.Sports+ subscribers: Sign up for Inside the Knicks to get daily newsletter coverage and join Expert Take for insider texts about the series.Take the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game as a prime example of that.Stewart headed to the locker room at the start of the Knicks’ comeback.When he left the game, the Pistons were up by six.
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