After 10 1/2 long months on the sidelines, Jaden Ivey finally made his much-anticipated return to the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night. The young guard, who had been recovering from a serious injury, came back to the court with a sense of hope and gratitude, knowing that everything he had endured would ultimately make him a stronger player moving forward.

The Pistons were able to secure a 129-116 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday, marking their 12th consecutive win. It was a monumental moment for both Ivey and the team. After missing nearly the entire season, Ivey’s return couldn’t have come at a better time for the Pistons, who have been on an impressive run.

“I’ve been through a lot, obviously, and everyone goes through trials in life,” Ivey said in his post-game remarks. “This was needed for me to boost my patience and perseverance. Lord willing, I don’t go through another trial like this, but if I do, it’s definitely going to help me.”

Ivey’s journey back to basketball has been full of challenges. His last game before the injury was on January 1, when he collided with Orlando Magic player Cole Anthony while chasing a loose ball. The impact caused Ivey to fall awkwardly, and soon after, he underwent surgery to repair his broken left fibula.

After a long recovery process, Ivey was cleared for training camp but suffered another setback. In mid-October, he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to alleviate some discomfort. Fortunately, this issue was unrelated to his previous surgery, but it delayed his return to full fitness. After months of intense rehab and perseverance, Ivey finally made it back to the court, though he admitted that adjusting to the pace of the game again was a challenge.

“Going into it, I was kind of just trying to get my mind wrapped around it,” Ivey explained. “It’s been so long, it took a while for me to get used to it, get used to warming up and going through the routine again. But I just had so much gratitude to be out there again.”

In his first game back, Ivey scored 10 points in 15 minutes off the bench. It wasn’t a jaw-dropping performance, but for Ivey, it was a step in the right direction. His teammates were just as excited to see him back on the court.

“It’s like seeing him in his natural state — having the jersey on, playing, being on the court,” said Pistons’ All-Star guard Cade Cunningham. “It’s like seeing him at home. He looked good today, really comfortable. It doesn’t look like he’s missed as much time as he has. It’s a credit to his work and the time he’s put into it.”

Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff echoed Cunningham’s sentiments, emphasizing that the most important thing was Ivey’s joy in competition. “We’re just happy to have him back,” Bickerstaff said. “For him to have that joy in competition and playing with his teammates, that’s the most important thing. Of course, you can see the way he can impact the game at a high level. It’s hard to catch a rhythm in 15 minutes, but I thought he did everything we needed him to do. This is a celebration of his journey to get back on the court.”

Ivey’s return couldn’t have come at a better time for the Pistons. His injury had occurred right at a moment when he was having the most productive season of his career. At the time of the injury, Ivey was averaging career highs with 17.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per game while shooting 46% overall and 40.9% from beyond the arc. The team was in the middle of a successful season, one that saw them make their first playoff appearance since 2019.

The Pistons’ remarkable turnaround this season has been led by the dynamic duo of Ivey and Cunningham, both of whom have been instrumental in transforming the franchise into a contender. Ivey’s absence has been felt, but the team has continued to perform at a high level, and his return is expected to provide a significant boost moving forward.

“The team has found it,” Ivey said after the game. “We’ve found the niche with the team and just the connection with the guys. We’ve found it. I think coming back again, it’s been about understanding and feeling my way back into it.”

The Pistons, now sitting at a remarkable 14-2, have become one of the most formidable teams in the Eastern Conference. With a 13-game winning streak on the line, the team has reached a level of success that was unimaginable during Ivey’s injury. In fact, if the Pistons win against Indiana, they will match a franchise record for the longest winning streak, set in the 1989-90 and 2003-04 seasons, both of which culminated in NBA titles.

Ivey’s return to the team has been a symbolic moment for the Pistons. It marks the culmination of a long journey for the young guard, who was once considered one of the most promising players in the NBA. But now, it’s about more than just Ivey’s individual success. The Pistons are thriving as a team, and with Ivey back on the floor, their championship aspirations feel closer than ever.

For Ivey, his return is about much more than basketball. It’s a personal triumph over adversity. As he put it, “It’s been a tough road, but this has made me more patient and more resilient. If I go through something like this again, it’ll be easier to handle.” His journey from injury to recovery, and now back to the court, reflects a deeper lesson about perseverance, dedication, and the love for the game. With his determination and the support of his teammates, Ivey is poised to help lead the Pistons to greater heights.

As the season progresses, one thing is certain: Jaden Ivey’s return to the Detroit Pistons is a sign of good things to come. For the team, his re-entry marks the beginning of an exciting chapter, and for Ivey, it’s the start of a new phase in his already promising career. With his resilience and hunger for success, the Pistons’ future looks brighter than ever.