Detroit Pistons roster rumors 2015: Brandon Jennings plays first game this season in loss to Knicks

Brandon JenningsWikimedia Commons/Keith Allison

One of the most efficient players for the Detroit Pistons in the past few seasons returned to action last Tuesday, as point guard Brandon Jennings played his first game back from injury in their 108–96 defeat to the New York Knicks. 

Before seeing action last Tuesday, Jennings has not played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) since last season when he suffered a ruptured left Achilles tendon right when Detroit was thriving and winning games. 

Jennings went through surgery and after sitting out for nearly a year, returned to the playing court suiting up for the Pistons' NBA Developmental League (NBA D-League) affiliate the Grand Rapids Drive earlier this month. 

The 26-year-old point guard played one game (11 points and 12 assists) in the NBA D-League before being called up by the Pistons. 

In Jennings' absence, the starting point guard role was given to Reggie Jackson who was acquired via trade last season from the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

Backing up Jackson was veteran Steve Blake, who also joined the Pistons via a trade deal back in July. 

But now that Jennings is ready to play again, Blake becomes the number three point guard for the Pistons. 

In his first NBA regular season game since the 2014–15 season, Jennings played 17 minutes off the bench tallying seven points, one rebound, and four assists. 

A bit far from his averages last season when he was having 15.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.1 steals per contest. 

However, Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy already spoke about Jennings coming back to action after a long layoff before the loss to New York and said, according to ESPN, that it is not easy. 

Currently Detroit is riding a three-game losing streak and is out of the top eight in the Eastern Conference standings with a 17–15 record. 

Up next for the Pistons is a home stand versus the Minnesota Timberwolves this Thursday.