Detroit Pistons: Duren Ruled Out, Thompson Questionable To Play Vs. 76ers

While the Detroit Pistons’ 128-111 road win over the Miami Heat should project optimism for those in the Motor City, the squad suffered two major on-court losses that could have serious implications for how the Pistons start the regular season. 

Fortunately, the Pistons are already off to a 2-0 start, but the team is facing an early-season scare after both Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson were forced to leave Friday night's game due to injury. Duren, who received his first All-Star nod last season, injured his right thigh in the first half after logging just 10 minutes against the Heat. JD promptly limped down the tunnel toward the locker room to receive further medical attention and was initially listed as questionable to return, though he never rejoined the Pistons bench. 

As for Thompson, the All-Defensive First Team wing was a victim of his own speed on Friday night after his legs were tangled up while he was chasing a play in transition during the second half. Just like his teammate, Thompson trotted off to the locker room after hurting his ankle, which spelled the end of his night in Miami. 

Although the Pistons have an average turnaround-time with their next game arriving tomorrow night, the team had a chance to take a closer look at both Duren and Thompson earlier today, a process that yielded mixed results. According to the team, Thompson is dealing with a sprained right ankle, but the fourth-year player still has a chance to play against the Philadelphia 76ers given his questionable designation. Duren, on the other hand, could be facing a more extended absence after it was revealed that he has a strained right hamstring and won’t be available for Detroit’s trip to Philly. 

Last year, the Pistons remained healthy for the majority of the regular season until Cade Cunningham went down with a collapsed lung in March, but most of Detroit’s starters were available for most of their games a season ago. Without JD for the majority of Friday night’s contest, the Pistons shifted to a lineup with Paul Reed at the five, so Detroit still retained a high level of production from their center. Reed posted 19 points and 11 rebounds during his minutes hike, which was just the latest in a long string of examples highlighting B-Ball Paul’s off-the-bench impact. 

At times, John Collins flexed to the five so that the Pistons could experiment some more with a small-ball lineup, but that was more of a temporary rotational adjustment that Detroit made against Miami without JD in the mix. Not to be forgotten, Tolu Smith checked into the game late for the Pistons, but he will be expected to play a larger role against the Sixers.

Since Duren won’t be in the lineup tomorrow night, the Pistons have a choice to make among their three players on two-way deals since Isaac Jones and Ugonna Onyenso could serve as a third-string center versus Philly. Based on pre-season time cards, Jones would be more likely to receive that call, but the final decision remains to be seen. They both could end up on the active roster if Thompson isn’t healthy enough to play, so the Detroit pre-game lineup will provide more information soon enough.