DETROIT, Jan. 20 -- The injury-depleted Detroit Pistons got one of their wounded back Friday by activating center Mark West from the injured list. West has been sidelined since tearing cartilage in his right knee against the Charlotte Hornets on Dec. 14.
He underwent arthroscopic surgery on the knee and missed the next 14 games. To make room on the roster for West, the Pistons released center Mark Peplowski. The 33-year-old West, in his 12th NBA season, had played in 521 consecutive games before suffering the injury. West's 59.2 lifetime field goal percentage is top among active players and second all-time behind Artis Gilmore. West is averaging 8.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 20 games this season as the Piston's starting center. The Pistons are still without forward Grant Hill (injured arch), point guard Lindsey Hunter (broken ankle), reserve center Oliver Miller (broken hand) and reserve guard Mark Macon (sprained ankle). Detroit was 8-9 and in the middle of the pack in the Central Division before the injuries struck. The Pistons have lost 14 of 17 games since then to fall into last place.
