Duncan Robinson's Back Just Blew Up Game 5, and Detroit Has a Problem

The Pistons are down one of their most dangerous weapons heading into tonight's crucial Game 5 against Cleveland. Duncan Robinson, Detroit's best 3-point shooter all season, is out with lower back soreness and won't suit up as the series sits tied 2-2 in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Shooter They Can't Afford to Lose

Robinson wasn't just a role player for the Pistons during the postseason run. The guy was legit. Through 11 games in the playoffs, he was dropping 11.5 points per game while shooting 44% from deep. That's not a fluke. Robinson leads the entire team with a 41% 3-point shooting percentage for the season on 7.0 attempts per game. In a series that's completely knotted up, losing that kind of efficiency from beyond the arc is brutal.

What This Means Tonight

The Cavs have to feel good about their chances with Robinson sidelined. Detroit's spacing gets worse, their offensive firepower takes a hit, and Cleveland's defense can adjust knowing one of the Pistons' most reliable shooters isn't on the floor. Robinson had been a fixture in the starting lineup through these playoffs, so this isn't some depth piece getting ruled out. This is a starter going down at the absolute worst time.

Game 5 tips off tonight in Detroit. The Pistons need to figure out how to replace Robinson's production, and fast. Series is tied. Nothing's guaranteed. The way this postseason has gone, any edge matters.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.