As the Pistons get set for their first game of the 2019-2020 season tomorrow against the Indiana Pacers, Detroit could be without two players right from the jump.

Dwane Casey told media today that Blake Griffin, who has been nursing a hamstring issue that cost him the majority of the preseason, is not a lock to play versus the Pacers on Wednesday night.

Rookie Sekou Doumbouya, who suffered an injury to the head on Saturday is in concussion protocol, and Rod Beard of the Detroit News tweeted out that not only is he unlikely to play tomorrow, but he may not even travel with the team to Indiana.

The Pistons open the season on a back-to-back, a tedious task that will test their load management system in place for Blake Griffin from the very start, especially with his lingering hamstring soreness.

“If he’s available, he’s going to be available, said Casey. We have some things mapped out for him during the year (in terms of load management) but haven’t thought about it as far as back to back.”

Griffin played in 75 regular-season games last season, the most he’s appeared in since the 2013-2014 year.

He underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee at the end of last season, following Detroit’s exit from the playoffs in which he missed the first two games of with his knee injury.

Christian Wood, who the Pistons awarded their final spot on the roster to, Markieff Morris, and Thon Maker could all see an uptick in minutes if Griffin misses time. Doumbouya could have been a candidate as well, but it seems logical that Detroit will be cautious and patient in both bringing Doumbouya back and playing him.

Featured Image: Paul Sancya/Associated Press