Pistons' Caldwell-Pope out until after All-Star break

The Detroit Pistons' bench will be put to the test for at least the next two weeks.

Starting shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will be re-evaluated following the All-Star break after being diagnosed with a core muscle strain, the team announced Thursday.

Rookie swingman Stanley Johnson drew the start in place of Caldwell-Pope in Thursday's win over the New York Knicks. Johnson poured in a career-high 22 points in 44 minutes.

Now in his third season with the Pistons, Caldwell-Pope has emerged as a key defensive stopper for Stan Van Gundy's resurgent squad. His 3-point shooting still comes and goes, but he's proven indispensable as a non-stop energetic pest.

Caldwell-Pope is averaging 14.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 36.9 minutes per game.