The Detroit Pistons are cutting Reggie Jackson's season short, with coach Stan Van Gundy saying the point guard will not play in the team's final four games of the regular season.
"He won't play these last four," Van Gundy told reporters after practice Thursday. "The plan is to let him step away, clear his mind and go into the offseason without a bad taste in his mouth."
Van Gundy wouldn't commit to keeping Jackson out of the lineup, saying, "You never know," if injury issues mounted for the Pistons.
Jackson has not played since March 24. He has struggled in 2016-17 since missing the first 21 games with left knee tendinitis and being hindered by the injury all season.
"Reggie was struggling, and for good reason -- a lot of stuff out of his control," Van Gundy said. "It was weighing on him, and we thought, at that time, being fresh-minded would not only be good for him, but us being fresh-minded would help."
Ish Smith has replaced Jackson in the starting lineup and drew praise from Van Gundy for being a player he can "really, really count on."
Entering Friday, the Pistons were on the verge of postseason elimination, sitting 3½ games out of the No. 8 spot in the Eastern Conference and needing to leap three teams to earn a second straight playoff appearance. They have lost 10 of 12 since March 14.
Van Gundy also said he plans to give more playing time to Henry Ellenson, Boban Marjanovic and Michael Gbinije to finish the season.
Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.
