Andre Drummond is out four to six weeks with a stress fracture of the fifth lumbar vertebra. The good news, if there is any, is that the team doesn't expect any lingering effects.
Team physician Ben Paolucci spoke to the media before the Pistons played the San Antonio Spurs on Friday shortly after the diagnosis was announced.
From the Detroit News:
Drummond has been placed in a custom brace and activity levels will be modified while the injury heals, and Paolucci said Drummond has experienced some discomfort, but once he recovers, it should be the end of it.
"No surgery," Paolucci said. "He's got a stress fracture. He should get better, no residual. Nothing lasting."
He'd been laboring in losses to the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets, playing a total of 12 minutes, and this setback will surely derail the progress he's made on the court. He suffered another injury on the other side of his tailbone which isn't as serious, Paolucci said.
"The injury on the left side occurred in the L.A. game. It's a common injury," Paloucci said. "Once he doesn't have any pain, he'll be able to start some exercising
."
Silver linings. Not a big fan of them, to be honest with you.