Rodney Stuckey, Ben Wallace latest Pistons to miss time; point guard's return remains unclear

Rodney StuckeyAUBURN HILLS -- A week ago, two players had started and appeared in every Detroit Pistons game this season.

That number now stands at zero.

GuardRodney Stuckey was not at The Palace of Auburn Hills on Sunday when thePistons beat the Houston Rockets in overtime after he collapsed duringa timeout Friday night in a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

It isunclear when Stuckey will return to the lineup, but Pistons coach JohnKuester expects the situation to clear up soon.

“We’ll have an idea, in regards to seeing him and then evaluatingwhat the doctors say,” Kuester said. “But he is on the right path rightnow.”

Stuckey started the first 62 games before sitting out againstHouston, while Ben Wallace started the first 60 games of the seasonbefore missing the past three with a right patella tendon strain.

Stuckeyhas had a couple close calls. On Dec. 31, he fell to the floor andwinced in pain with what first appeared to be a serious ankle injury inthe first quarter of a game against the Chicago Bulls. He left the gametwice before halftime due to the injury.

But he returned to start the second half and did not even miss a practice because of the injury.

Stuckeysat out part of another game due to dehydration. Some have speculatedthat dehydration might be the cause of his latest episode, but thePistons have not pointed toward any specific cause.

“(Stuckey) hasbeen a true warrior throughout this entire season,” Kuester said. “Heand Ben, when we had so many players down, didn’t miss a beat. Our teamhas relied so heavily on those two guys, from a defensive standpointespecially.”

Kuester is accustomed to coaching a team that isshorthanded due to injuries. Starters Richard Hamilton and TayshaunPrince have missed extended periods with injuries, as has backup guardBen Gordon.

The Pistons have lost 113 games due to injuries.

“They are big losses,” Kuester said of Stuckey and Wallace. “But that’s life in the NBA.”

Odds & ends
Wallacemanaged to make his way into the box score Sunday even though he wassitting on the bench in street clothes. He drew a technical foul in thesecond quarter while protesting a call on the court. ... The Pistonstook Monday off from practice after playing four games in six days.They will return to practice today in preparation for a home gameWednesday against the Utah Jazz. ... Prince averaged 20.2points per game in his past five games to raise his season scoringaverage to 12.8 points per game. ... With 41 losses, the Pistons would have to win their final 19 games to finish .500.