Thunder's Mike Muscala: Insignificant in blowout loss
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Muscala produced two points (1-1 FG), one rebound and one block in six minutes during Wednesday's 135-100 loss to the Celtics.
Since signing with the Thunder on March 1, Muscala has struggled to carve out his role in the rotation, appearing in 11 games and averaging just 1.0 points and 0.9 rebounds in 4.1 minutes. With the Thunder frontcourt fully healthy, Muscala should be expected to step into valuable minutes only if Chet Holmgren or Jaylin Williams is sidelined.
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Thunder's Mike Muscala: Joining Oklahoma City
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Muscala plans to sign with the Thunder after clearing waivers Friday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Muscala will join his third NBA team this season after agreeing to a contract buyout with the Pistons on Tuesday. The veteran big man last played for the Thunder in 2022-23, averaging 6.2 points and 3.1 rebounds in 14.5 minutes across 43 appearances. Muscala will likely compete for depth minutes as a backup center behind Chet Holmgren.
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Mike Muscala: Parts ways with Detroit
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The Pistons will finalize a contract buyout with Muscala on Tuesday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Muscala is averaging 3.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in 13.8 minutes across his 37 appearances this season, including 13 with the Pistons. The veteran big man will likely look to join a contending team once he clears waivers.
Muscala is averaging 3.5 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.8 assists since being traded from the Wizards on Jan. 14.
Muscala averaged 12.1 minutes per game in January, filling in at both center and forward with Detroit's depth in shambles. However, with the acquisition of Simone Fontecchio from the Jazz at the deadline, Muscala has been restricted to backup center minutes. The 32-year-old is expected to see another decline with Isaiah Stewart (ankle) set to make his return soon coupled with more playing time devoted to James Wiseman (averaging 16.3 minutes per game in February).
Muscala isn't in the starting five for Tuesday's game versus the Lakers.
Simone Fontecchio will replace Muscala in the starting lineup Tuesday. Muscala is averaging 2.2 points and 2.8 rebounds in 13.2 minutes across his last five appearances coming off the bench.
Muscala is in the starting five for Wednesday's game versus the Kings, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic reports.
Muscala will make just his fourth start of the season Wednesday. The veteran big man is averaging 3.3 points and 3.0 rebounds in 15.3 minutes across his previous three appearances.
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Pistons' Mike Muscala: Questionable Sunday
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Muscala (concussion) is questionable Sunday against the Magic.
No surprise here, as Muscala was diagnosed with a concussion Friday. If he can't suit up, Kevin Knox would be a candidate for increased playing time.
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Pistons' Mike Muscala: Clears concussion protocol
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Muscala (concussion) is not listed on the injury report for Sunday's game against the Magic.
Muscala has cleared concussion protocol and will suit up after missing Friday's loss to the Clippers. With Isaiah Stewart (ankle) out, Muscala may draw a start at power forward, but it'd be surprising to see him play more than 20 minutes.
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Pistons' Mike Muscala: Sustains concussion
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Muscala has been diagnosed with a concussion and won't be available for Friday's game against the Clippers, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic reports.
Muscala will need to go through league-mandated concussion protocol testing before he's cleared to return, so he's likely looking at a multi-game absence. The Pistons turned to Muscala as a starter in place of Isaiah Stewart (ankle) in Wednesday's 128-121 loss to the Cavaliers, only for Muscala to exit that contest with the head injury after playing just three minutes. Stewart has since been ruled out for the next 10-to-14 days, so while Muscala joins him on the sideline for Friday's contest, the Pistons could turn to Danilo Gallinari, Ausar Thompson and Kevin Knox to fill minutes at power forward.
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Pistons' Mike Muscala: Won't return Wednesday
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Muscala has been ruled out for the remainder of Wednesday's game against the Cavaliers with a head injury, Johnny Kane of Bally Sports reports. He'll finish the game with three points (1-2 FG, 1-2 3Pt) and one rebound over four minutes.
With Isaiah Stewart (ankle) ruled out for Wednesday's game, Muscala drew the start at power forward, even though he's played primarily as a center between his stops with Detroit and Washington this season. Muscala's night ended up being cut short, however, after he appeared to be hit in the head during the first quarter. He'll presumably be checked for a concussion, and if he's diagnosed with a brain injury, Muscala would most likely miss the Pistons' next game Friday versus the Clippers. With Muscala sidelined for the rest of Wednesday's contest, teh Pistons will likely lean on Danilo Gallinari, Ausar Thompson and Kevin Knox to fill most of the minutes at power forward.
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Pistons' Mike Muscala: Gets starting nod
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Muscala is in the starting five for Wednesday's game versus the Cavaliers, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic reports.
Muscala will replace Isaiah Stewart (ankle) in the starting lineup Wednesday. Muscala is averaging 4.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 13.5 minutes across his first six appearances for the Pistons.
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Pistons' Mike Muscala: Good to go
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Muscala (trade pending) will be available for Wednesday's game against Minnesota.
Muscala and Danilo Gallinari will both be available after their trade from Washington was finalized. It remains to be seen what kind of role Muscala will have, but his floor spacing could be a valuable addition to the frontcourt.
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Pistons' Mike Muscala: May debut Wednesday
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Muscala (trade pending) is questionable for Wednesday's game against Minnesota.
Muscala and Danilo Gallinari were traded to Detroit on Sunday in exchange for Isaiah Livers, Marvin Bagley and two second-round picks, but the duo wasn't ready to make their Pistons debut Monday in Washington. Even if Muscala and Gallinari are cleared to play Wednesday, it's unclear how large their respective roles will be.
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Pistons' Mike Muscala: Won't debut Monday
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Muscala (trade pending) won't play Monday against Washington.
The Pistons and Wizards are both electing to hold out the players they acquired Sunday in the four-player deal that sent Muscala and Danilo Gallinari and to Detroit and Isaiah Livers, Marvin Bagley and two future second-round drafts picks to Washington. Muscala and Gallinari will get a chance to make their Detroit debuts Wednesday versus the Timberwolves.
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Pistons' Mike Muscala: Shipped to Detroit
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The Wizards traded Muscala and Danilo Gallinari to the Pistons on Sunday in exchange for Marvin Bagley, Isaiah Livers and two second-round picks, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Muscala had a solid role behind Daniel Gafford in Washington, posting 4.0 points and 3.1 rebounds in 14.1 minutes across 24 appearances (two starts). He joins a crowded frontcourt that's led by Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, but Muscala should compete with James Wiseman for backup center minutes.
Wizards' Mike Muscala: Tallies double figures off bench
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Muscala had 12 points (5-9 FG, 2-5 3Pt), four rebounds and two assists in 21 minutes during Wednesday's 140-101 loss to the Cavaliers.
Muscala tallied a bench-high-tying scoring mark while adding four rebounds and a pair of assists in a balanced showcase to boost the second unit in a blowout loss. Muscala, who posted a season-high scoring total, has tallied double figures in four games this season while adding at least four rebounds and two steals in three of those four contests.
