Jackson makes return for Pistons against Suns

Phoenix — Tuesday’s the night for Reggie Jackson.

The Pistons point guard is making his return to the court Tuesday night, playing for the first time since he suffered a Grade-3 sprain to his right ankle on Dec. 26.

Jackson has missed the last 37 games as he’s done rehabilitation and will have a chance to help the Pistons (31-39) in their last 12 games of the regular season, beginning against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena.

Coach Stan Van Gundy said Jackson will start and be limited to about 12-15 minutes. He’ll likely play the first three or four minutes of each quarter and Ish Smith will return to the reserve group and finish out the quarters.

“I’m not going to try to force anything and just go out here and play basketball with the time that I’m allotted to play,” Jackson said before the game.

Jackson has improved in the past couple weeks, doing progressive individual work and getting to 4-on-4 workouts this week. He’ll get his first game action with Blake Griffin, who was acquired on Jan. 29, as the Pistons get a glimpse of their version of a Big Three.

“I’m happy to go play basketball, honestly. I’m happy to get out there and see how it feels,” Jackson said. “(Monday) it felt good. Felt like it was time to get back out here with my team.

“I feel good; we’ll see tonight where I’m at and how things go. I feel good and I feel ready to go out here and compete.”

Rod.Beard@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @detnewsRodBeard