Pistons: 4 players who could go on a tear down the final stretch

Pistons poised for a late surge: Killian Hayes

Killian Hayes is due for a hot stretch to end the season. The seventh overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft got off to a rough start before going down with a torn labrum in his seventh career game. He missed 40 games and only got back into the lineup this week.

He’s looked more comfortable since returning, especially on defense. In fact, Hayes singlehandedly ended three straight OKC Thunder possessions in a game earlier this week to end the first half, staving off their run to get back into the game. Hayes has also quickly asserted himself as an elite playmaker. Check out the below highlight reel of his assists since returning:

Expectations need to be tempered for a player this raw, but the door has swung wide open for him to have an outstanding final 20 games.

Pistons poised for a late surge: Isaiah Stewart

Isaiah Stewart has been remarkably opportunistic so far this season, making the most of every chance sent his way. Over the final 20 games of the season, we may see more opportunities on his plate. Especially if Mason Plumlee starts to get the “veteran on a tanking team” treatment, Stewart should get at least a handful of starts before his rookie season concludes.

The 16th pick in the 2020 NBA draft, Stewart has developed a surprisingly lethal jump shot and will welcome more chances to show it off. In fact, he’s scored 38 points in 31 jump-shooting possessions, placing him in the 92nd percentile. He’s showing that general manager Troy Weaver was right to believe in him as a potential stretch-big when he was selected in the first round.