DETROIT >> Whether inside the comfort of Little Caesars Arena or facing the hostility at Madison Square Garden, Jaden Ivey sat on the bench in casual wear, cheering for his teammates during each game of the Detroit Pistons’ first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks.

It seemed Ivey had come to terms with the fact that a devastating leg injury had significantly delayed his playoff debut.

While watching the game from afar, he applauded teammates and occasionally offered coaching tips whenever something caught his eye. Every so often, morning shootaround was the only time Ivey joined his teammates on the court. However, as a competitor, not being part of the Pistons’ postseason run was a gut-wrenching experience.

“This has been painful for him,” Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon said. “He is an incredible human being, teammate; he has been supportive. But it has been hard for him to watch our run.”

Ivey suffered a broken left fibula during the Pistons’ win over the Orlando Magic on Jan. 1. There was slight optimism that he could return before the end of the season. Two and a half months after the initial injury, he deemed his recovery “day-by-day.” But with his safety and long-term health in mind, the Pistons made New Year’s Day the last time Ivey suited up for Detroit this season.

The injury brought a somber end to Ivey’s third year. He emerged as the Pistons’ second-best player, with career averages of 17.6 points on 46% shooting, 4.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists.

In victories over the Toronto Raptors and Sacramento Kings, Ivey made game-winning field goals. By the time of his injury, he had taken the helm as Detroit’s go-to player down the stretch, averaging a team-best 2.5 points in clutch moments.

“He won two games for us; at the end of the day, that is huge,” Langdon said. “He had an incredible first two months of the season and helped us turn around. He is a guy who impacts the game on both ends of the floor and in transition.”

Despite only playing 30 games, Ivey demonstrated his importance to the franchise and gained considerable appreciation from management and his teammates. Langdon came to admire Ivey’s approach and work ethic, particularly regarding his development as a 3-point shooter.

After working on his shot last summer, Ivey finished the season with a career-best 41% on 3-point shooting. In his final game of the season, Ivey made five 3-pointers before he collided with Cole Anthony, resulting in the injury.

In his first two years he shot 33.9% from beyond the arc. Ivey’s improved shooting — alongside his enhanced defense — is a testament to why Langdon believes his game will significantly improve next season.

“I think he is going to come back as a better version than what he was last year,” Langdon said. “He is one of our hardest workers. He gets to loose balls quickly. He gets a lot of deflections. He could be a secondary scorer and primary at times. He took a huge step this season.”

The Pistons have consistently provided updates on Ivey’s rehabilitation. Their most recent update was on April 27, when the team announced that his recovery now includes shooting and skill development. While Langdon addressed the media Wednesday, Ivey remained inside the Henry Ford Performance Center, participating in on-court workouts and weightlifting.

As a former first-round pick, Ivey is one of two Pistons (Jalen Duren) who will qualify for a contract extension this summer. The two parties have not begun talks about a new deal. But when it comes to building upon the team’s success, Langdon firmly believes that Ivey already gives Detroit an impactful player for next season.

“Adding him to the roster that we already have will create a more explosive dynamic,” Langdon said. “He gives our coaches and players something else they can use to help us win games and have even more success. I am excited to see what his summer is going to look like, and what he is going to look like coming back in the fall.”