Marvin Bagley III needed help off the court Tuesday after suffering a non-contact knee injury during a preseason game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Detroit Pistons forward stepped back down the lane to take a defensive position during a quick break from Thunder. He touched down his left foot, which slipped on the Pistons’ home floor. His right foot stayed planted and his knee twisted awkwardly.
Bagley was clinging to his right knee in pain and ended up needing help off the court. The pistons later ruled him out for the game. They did not provide an initial diagnosis or further details of the injury. Sources told Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes that he should have an MRI.
If serious, the injury will deal another tough blow to the former No. 2 overall, whose career has been curtailed by various injuries since moving from Duke to the NBA in 2018. Knee problems cost him 20 games kings during his rookie season at Sacramento. His 62-game tally this season remains a career-high. Since then, he has not played more than 48 games in any of his three seasons.
Marvin Bagley III needed help off the pitch on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
A thumb injury limited him to 13 games in the 2019-20 season curtailed by COVID-19. Foot, calf, wrist, and groin injuries have since limited its availability. As was a stalemate with the Kings early last season that left Bagley on the bench.
Bagley got a fresh start with the Pistons through a midseason trade in February after failing to live up to his status as the No. 2 pick after his tumultuous stint with the Kings. In 18 games in Detroit last season, he averaged 14.6 points and 6.8 rebounds while shooting 55.5% from the floor. He is expected to be a regular rotation player this season barring an injury-related setback.