Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren has another piece of hardware to add to his quickly-growing trophy case
Over the last week, the Detroit Pistons ran through a scheduling gauntlet with games against the San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers, and the driving force behind the team’s 3-1 record over that stretch was none other than Jalen Duren.
Freshly minted as the Eastern Conference Player of the Week, Duren was on a four-game destruction path after the All-Star Break with one dominant double-double performance after the next. Over those four games, Duren averaged 25.8 points, 13.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game as he slid into a more defensively responsible role since Isaiah Stewart was sidelined while controlling the paint on offense as well.
Two games ago versus Cleveland, JD turned in a 33-point, 16-rebound night that propelled the Pistons to a 122-119 overtime victory against the Cavs amid tenuous circumstances. With two minutes left in regulation, Cade Cunningham picked up his sixth foul of the night, so the Pistons were forced to duke it out with the Cavs in OT without their floor general to set the tone and facilitate the offense.
Instead, Duren rose to the occasion as a safety valve for the Detroit offense with six points in the extra frame, and the All-Star center helped guide the Pistons to another important single-digit victory this season.
After such a dominant effort from Duren, Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff spoke about the growth he’s seen from his All-Star big man this year and where he’s at in his development right now.
"I think it's that moment where you figure it out," Bickerstaff said of Duren after the game. "And all the things just come together, and they're coming together for him. The game's slowed down for him. His understanding of the spacing and when to attack, like all of those things have slowed down and given him opportunities."
Bickerstaff understands the value that a productive, empowered Duren can bring to the Pistons’ offense, and that’s a facet that is perhaps even more important this season considering Detroit’s noted struggles from three-point range. So, Bickerstaff made sure to let his big man know that he’d be relied upon early and often throughout the 2025-26 campaign.
“Scoring was going to be more important this year for me just trying to add that to my game consistently, and it’s just me getting better, man,” Duren said after defeating the Thunder. “Just working on my game every day, and like I said before, I’m really just providing anything my team needs, so countless talks with JB, him letting me know and encouraging me to keep being aggressive and keep attacking, and it’s been working out.”
Before the season started, Duren worked extensively on his ball handling and his mid-range jump shot to help expand his skill set even further, and those aspects have paid dividends working in the pick and roll with Cunningham this season. The two-man game between JD and Cade had stood as a primary action for the Pistons’ all year long, and Detroit’s big man has flourished with the added responsibility.
Moving forward, Duren and Cunningham have another contest against the Cavs set for Tuesday, March 3 at 7 pm on the road.
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