Pistons' Grant to miss rest of season with calf strain

The Detroit Pistons have announced forward Jerami Grant will miss the remainder of the season with a left calf strain.

Grant suffered the injury after playing 7:30 minutes in the first quarter of Detroit's 100-97 home loss to the Washington Wizards. It was unclear when Grant strained his calf, but he was ruled out for the rest of the game and did not play in Detroit's game against the New York Knicks on Sunday.

Grant completes his second season in Detroit earlier than expected, averaging 19.2 points and 4.1 rebounds in a career-low 47 games played. He missed 24 consecutive games from Dec. 12 until Jan. 30 after undergoing surgery for a torn ligament in his right thumb. He also missed two games this season with right knee inflammation and a game against the Atlanta Hawks on Oct. 25 due to a left elbow infection.

Grant has played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets and Detroit Pistons in his nine NBA seasons, averaging 11.4 points on 45.2% from the field, 3.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.1 blocks. Grant won a gold medal playing for the U.S. Olympic team at the Tokyo Olympics last summer with Portland all-star Damian Lillard.

The 28-year-old forward will enter the final year of his $60 million contract that he signed with the Pistons as a free agent during the 2020 offseason. Grant was the subject of trade rumors ahead of the NBA trade deadline with the Washington Wizards, Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers showing the most interest. He is also eligible for an extension worth up to $112 million over four years this offseason.

Detroit (20-55) is currently in a three-way tie with the Orlando Magic and Houston Rockets for the league's worst record and best lottery odds for the 2022 NBA draft.