Pistons' Isaiah Stewart 'feeling better,' upset by awards ineligibility
Despite feeling disappointed about his eligibility for awards, Pistons' Isaiah Stewart is optimistic about his return to the lineup.
Detroit — Isaiah Stewart was reluctant to sit out from an individual standpoint, but after considering the team's playoff potential, the veteran big man chose to comply. He and the Detroit Pistons' management met in early March to see how they would handle his ongoing left calf strain. He tried to play through the injury, but the pain became increasingly unbearable as time went on.
On March 15, prior to the Pistons' loss to the Toronto Raptors , the team announced Stewart would be sidelined for an extended period due to his injury. It was a difficult decision for Stewart, as he ended up missing 13 consecutive games. However, after a three-week absence, he is now prepared to return to the lineup just in time for the Pistons' home regular-season finale against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.
"I'm feeling good now. That time allowed me to settle down and allowed me to feel better and feel like myself," Stewart said. "Obviously, it was tough.
But at the end of the day, I want to be there for my teammates come the playoffs. I'll be able to play and be available, which is the most important thing. " Stewart's determination to play through the injury stemmed from his love for the game and his commitment to his teammates.