Detroit Pistons: Killian Hayes’ progress comes to a screeching halt

Detroit Pistons rookie point guard Killian Hayes suffered a torn labral in his hip.

According to Shams Charania, Detroit Pistons rookie point guard Killian Hayes‘ season has come to a screeching halt after suffering a torn labral in his right hip, which occurred in Monday’s game against Milwaukee.  The injury will likely signal the end of Hayes’ rookie season.

The injury occurred as Hayes was trying to defend the lane in transition after turning the ball over.  A first, it seemed like a harmless play, a play you see 15-20 times throughout a game, but perhaps the ‘pop’ Hayes appeared to lip to Piston’s trainers happened as Hayes lunged towards Holiday?

The injury won’t just in all likelihood end Hayes’ rookie campaign, but it also prevents the rookie from learning under a former league MVP in Derrick Rose on a game-to-game basis.  Rose is expected to be traded prior to the NBA trade deadline.

Despite his notable offensive struggles, Hayes had been getting better and better in other facets of the game.  Hayes has been a solid defender (for his age), plus he’s been put to the test early on during his rookie season.

The young guard had been asked to go toe-to-toe with Steph Curry, D’Angelo Russell, Trae Young, and Jaylen Brown/Marcus Smart to start his NBA career.  It’s a tough ask for any young player, but Hayes has held up ok.

Hayes has struggled mightily on the offensive side of things averaging just 4.6 points per game, shooting an atrocious 27.7% from the field.  Hayes also shot a mere 25% from three and 50% from the free-throw line.  As you can see, the offense just isn’t living up to being selected seventh overall, but we need to be hopeful that it comes around.

One bright spot in Hayes’ game is his court vision and passing ability.  While Hayes hadn’t been scoring, he’s been a tremendous facilitator early on in his career, averaging 3.6 assists per night in just 21 minutes of work.

This injury to Hayes is a devastating blow with the uncertainty of how the 19-year old will recover.  It’s the same injury that essentially ended Pistons’ legend Isaiah Thomas‘ career at 28-years old.

The same injury also derailed former sixth overall pick, Jonny Flynn, at just 21-years old.  The Detroit Pistons have refused to put a timetable on Hayes’ recovery, but one can’t help but assume it will be a lengthy one.

You hate to see a kid just getting his feet wet in the league succumb to an injury like this so early in his career.  All we can do now is hope that the young prospect can make a full recovery.