After serving a league-imposed two-game suspension for his role in the Pistons’ brawl with the Charlotte Hornets pre-All-Star Break, Detroit center Jalen Duren was more than rested and ready to return to the court on Saturday night against the Chicago Bulls. 

Finally back in action, Duren wasted little time in continuing his season-long assault with the rim, and JD was particularly effective working in the two-man game with Cade Cunningham. The pair of All-Star teammates have developed the most lethal lob combination in the NBA, and the dynamic duo did a lot of the heavy lifting in the Pistons’ 126-110 win over the Bulls tonight. 

Duren, who finished with 26 points (12-for-20 FGs) and 13 rebounds, became the fourth different leading scorer for Detroit against the Bulls this season. JD’s impactful yet efficient performance against a Central Division rival helped the Pistons clinch a 3-1 victory in the season series against Chicago, so the squad will head back to the Motor City with a few bragging rights in tow. 

As for Cunningham, the MVP candidate logged another consistent, productive night at the office with 18 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds, falling just one board shy of a triple double. Cunningham was in sync with Duren from the jump against the Bulls, and the dynamic duo worked together to pick up the Pistons’ 42nd victory of the 2025-26 campaign. 

Part of what makes the Pistons so successful is their ability to stay calm in the pocket when elements of the game teeter into chaotic territory, such as during the first quarter against the Bulls. Early on, Chicago was locked in from long-range and hit eight of their nine three-point attempts in the first quarter. 

Despite the barrage from behind the arc, the Pistons were able to weather what would likely be the Bulls’ best chance to build a lead all game. Detroit knew that the Bulls would not be able to sustain that type of three-point efficiency all game long, so when Chicago began to experience some regression in the second quarter onward, that’s when the Pistons stepped on the gas pedal and began to build their own advantage. 

“Identity, trying to be consistent in that, forcing them into turnovers, letting their turnovers lead to easy offense for us, offensive rebounding the basketball, trying to create as much chaos as we can every single night," J.B. Bickerstaff said after the game. "I thought we did a good job of that, especially in the second half.”

Ultimately, the Pistons finished with a better three-point shooting percentage than the Bulls, winning the long-range battle 45 to 43 as Duncan Robinson and Cunningham combined to connect on eight triples in the victory. 

After the game, Duren was asked about his former teammate, Jaden Ivey, who was dealt to the Chicago Bulls at the Trade Deadline. Recently, Ivey just picked up the first DNP of his career two nights ago and was out for tonight’s contest, so JD could feel that Ivey was going through a precarious time in his career. 

“That’s my brother, man," Duren said. "Came into the league with him since day one. That’s my brother, man. That’s family forever, bro. That’s my favorite player. I love that guy. That’s my brother.”

Duren and a few other Detroit players walked over to greet Ivey after the game and exchanged pleasantries, so the group traded smiles and hugs after the contest wrapped up.

Moving forward, the Pistons will host the San Antonio Spurs for a 7 pm tip-off at home on Monday, Feb. 21. 

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