Pistons' Simone Fontecchio: Ties season high in minutes
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Fontecchio ended with nine points (2-6 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), two rebounds and two assists over 24 minutes during Monday's 125-124 overtime win over Miami.
With Tobias Harris (wrist) sidelined, Fontecchio tied his season high in minutes played with 24, a mark he hadn't reached since Nov. 3. After a strong finish to the 2023-24 campaign, Fontecchio has failed to live up to expectations this season, as Tim Hardaway and Malik Beasley have cut away at Fontecchio's playing time and usage.
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Pistons' Simone Fontecchio: Disappointing season continues
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Fontecchio registered four points (2-4 FG, 0-1 3Pt) and two rebounds in 11 minutes during Wednesday's 130-120 loss to the Celtics.
Fontecchio continues to play limited minutes off the bench, having exceeded 20 minutes only twice in the past two weeks. His production has subsequently suffered, as he is averaging just 6.4 points and 1.2 three-pointers in 18.0 minutes per game across the first 22 games. There is a chance he lands a meaningful role if the Pistons opt to throw in the towel. Until then, he is likely to remain on the fringes of relevance.
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Pistons' Simone Fontecchio: Good to go Sunday
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Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Fontecchio (toe) will play in Sunday's game versus the Wizards, Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press reports.
After a two-game absence, the forward will make his return to game action with Tim Hardaway (head) questionable and Ausar Thompson (illness/conditioning) out. Fontecchio has appeared in 12 regular-season games, during which he has averaged 6.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 0.9 assists across 19.1 minutes per game.
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Pistons' Simone Fontecchio: Iffy against Washington
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Fontecchio (toe) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Wizards.
Fontecchio is in danger of missing his third straight contest due to a sprained left big toe. If Fontecchio is unable to suit up against Washington, Ron Holland, Malik Beasley and Wendell Moore are candidates to receive increased playing time, especially if Tim Hardaway (head) remains sidelined.
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Pistons' Simone Fontecchio: Officially ruled out
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Fontecchio (toe) won't play in Friday's game versus the Raptors.
Fontecchio has been downgraded from doubtful to out Friday due to a left big toe sprain. His next chance to suit up is Sunday's matchup with Washington.
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Pistons' Simone Fontecchio: Won't play Wednesday
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Fontecchio will not play Wednesday against the Bucks due to a left big toe sprain.
Fontecchio will miss his first game of the campaign Wednesday, but the severity of his injury isn't clear. He's averaging 19.1 minutes per contest, so Fontecchio's absence will possibly open up a bit more playing time for Ron Holland and Malik Beasley, especially with Jaden Ivey (toe) and Tim Hardaway (head) also sidelined.
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Pistons' Simone Fontecchio: Pulls down eight boards
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Fontecchio registered seven points (1-6 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 4-5 FT), eight rebounds and one assist over 24 minutes during Sunday's 106-92 victory over the Nets.
Fontecchio couldn't get much going offensively but made up for it by pulling down a season-high eight rebounds. He's had a cold start to the season shooting the ball, both from the field and from beyond the arc. Positive regression with his percentages is likely coming.
Fontecchio logged two points (0-1 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds and two assists over 17 minutes during Wednesday's 105-95 victory over the 76ers.
Fontecchio continues to be used sparingly, logging just 17 minutes in the victory. He was seen as a potential last-round flier coming into the season, but opinions quickly changed when it became clear he would be used in a limited role. At this stage, Fontecchio would likely need a couple of key pieces sidelined to have any shot at being fantasy-relevant.
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Pistons' Simone Fontecchio: Leads bench in scoring Wednesday
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Fontecchio tallied 18 points (6-11 FG, 5-10 3Pt, 1-1 FT), three rebounds and two assists over 19 minutes in Wednesday's 108-92 preseason win over the Cavaliers.
Each of the Pistons starters played just eight minutes Wednesday, and Fontecchio made the most of his time on the floor as he led both teams in both three-point makes and attempts. Fontecchio was traded by the Jazz to the Pistons at the trade deadline, and across his 16 regular-season games (nine starts) with Detroit, he averaged 15.4 points on 47.9 percent shooting (including 42.6 percent from three on 6.3 3PA/G), 4.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 0.9 steals over 30.3 minutes per game. Fontecchio agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with the Pistons in early July, and he could see extended playing time off the bench to start the 2024-25 campaign while Ausar Thompson (illness) awaits medical clearance for a blood clotting issue.
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Pistons' Simone Fontecchio: Playing reserve role Friday
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Fontecchio will come off the bench in Friday's exhibition contest in Phoenix, Shane Young of Forbes.com reports.
Fonteccio started at power forward in the Pistons' first two preseason games with Tobias Harris (illness) sidelined. The latter is returning Friday, so Fonteccio will return to his projected role as a depth frontcourt presence.
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Pistons' Simone Fontecchio: Staying in Detroit
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Fontecchio (toe) has re-signed with the Pistons on a two-year, $16 million deal, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic reports.
Fontecchio posted solid numbers with Detroit last season and will get another chance to impress in Motor City. The 28-year-old was acquired by the Pistons via trade with the Jazz in February and averaged 15.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 0.9 steals in 30.2 minutes for Detroit while starting in nine of 16 appearances. He's expected to be healthy come training camp in the fall.
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Pistons' Simone Fontecchio: Gets qualifying offer from Detroit
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The Pistons extended a $5.22 million qualifying offer to Fontecchio (toe) on Saturday, making him a restricted free agent, Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press reports.
The transaction allows Detroit to match any offer sheet that Fontecchio might sign with another team, but he'll most likely work out a deal with the Pistons beforehand. The 28-year-old was acquired by the Pistons via trade with the Jazz in February and averaged 15.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 0.9 steals in 30.2 minutes for Detroit while starting in nine of 16 appearances. Fontecchio underwent surgery on his left big toe in May and is expected to be fully cleared ahead of training camp.
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Pistons' Simone Fontecchio: Undergoes toe surgery
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Fontecchio underwent surgery on his left great toe Tuesday, and he is expected to return by the start of training camp, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic reports.
Fontecchio missed the final 14 games of the regular season due to a contusion on his right great toe, but he was a solid performer for the Pistons. The 28-year-old averaged 15.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 0.9 steals in 30.2 minutes, starting in nine of 16 games. The sharpshooter is a restricted free agent, and he will likely garner interest from multiple teams including the Pistons. However, Fontecchio has made it clear that he is interested in returning to Detroit.
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Pistons' Simone Fontecchio: Out Sunday
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Fontecchio (toe) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Spurs.
A right great toe contusion caused Fontecchio to miss the final 14 games of the season. However, before that, he was making an impact for the Pistons, who acquired his services at the trade deadline. In 16 appearances (nine starts) with Detroit, Fontecchio averaged 15.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 0.9 steals in 30.2 minutes per game. The sharpshooter will be a restricted free agent this summer.
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Pistons' Simone Fontecchio: Remains out Friday
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Fontecchio (toe) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Mavericks.
Fontecchio hasn't played since March 17 due to a right great toe contusion. His final chance to suit up this season will come Sunday in San Antonio.
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Pistons' Simone Fontecchio: Out again Thursday
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Fontecchio (toe) will remain out for Thursday's game against the Bulls.
Fontecchio hasn't played since March 17 due to a left great toe contusion. With just two games remaining on Detroit's schedule after Thursday, Fontecchio's season is most likely over.
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Pistons' Simone Fontecchio: Ruled out for Tuesday
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Fontecchio (toe) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the 76ers.
Fontecchio will be unavailable for a 12th consecutive game due to his left toe contusion. It's not yet clear whether he'll return to the court before the end of the regular season.
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Pistons' Simone Fontecchio: Will remain sidelined Friday
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Fontecchio (toe) has been ruled out for Friday's game against Memphis.
Fontecchio has been sidelined since mid-March due to a left toe bruise, and it's not yet clear when he'll be able to return. Whether he'll be back in action before the end of the regular season remains to be seen.
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Pistons' Simone Fontecchio: Won't play Monday
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Fontecchio (toe) is out for Monday's game against the Grizzlies.
Fontecchio will extend his streak of missed games to eight due to a left big toe contusion. His next chance to suit up will come Wednesday against the Hawks, but the Pistons haven't provided any indication he's on track to be available.
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Pistons' Simone Fontecchio: Won't play Friday
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Fontecchio (toe) will remain out for Friday's game against the Wizards.
Fontecchio will miss his seventh straight game due to a left toe contusion. The Pistons haven't provided an indication that Fontecchio has resumed practicing yet, so while he'll continue to be evaluated on a game-by-game basis, it wouldn't be surprising if there were more absences in his future.