During the first half of Wednesday’s 114-103 win over the Jazz, the Pistons found an offensive lifeline in Jalen Duren, who finished the game with 22 points and 22 rebounds. When Detroit fell into occasional offensive lulls, Duren was there to bail the Pistons out with timely lobs, alley-oops and other plays at the rim. 

By the time the first half had concluded, Duren had already racked up 18 points and 10 rebounds, so it only took two quarters for the 6-10 fourth-year center to log yet another double-double on the 2025-26 season. 

“Honestly, I just tried to be aggressive,” Duren said of his first half effort. “We couldn't really get nothing going. We had a lot of low energy, so I tried to be the guy that sparked something tonight and thankfully it did. Deuce came alive, obviously, in the fourth for us. So, I think it was a full team effort to get the job done today.”

Cade Cunningham’s Late-Game Heroics Against Jazz Seal Pistons 4th Straight Win, 114-103 Jalen Duren adds 22 points and 22 rebounds in 11-point win over Utah

In Detroit’s 11-point win over the Jazz, Duren helped support the Pistons in the first half and was a demonstrative force in the pick-and-roll action with All-Star guard Cade Cunningham. The two Pistons game-changers have formed a prolific connection in the two-man game, and Duren sees a continued ascension for his offensive profile.

“I've had conversations with JB [Bickerstaff], multiple conversations throughout the summer coming into the season about how you see me working my game all summer, how he wants me to continue to be aggressive and kind of show what I've been working on,” Duren said. “So, with that came a lot of confidence from my teammates too, telling me to keep attacking bigs and whoever opposing teams decide to put on me. So, I'm just trying to do what they ask me to do.”

In the offseason, Duren spent a lot of time working with Pistons assistant coach Fred Vinson on his outside shot, particularly corner threes. Duren hasn’t had an opportunity to show off that particular aspect of his game much this season, though, since he’s often been occupied setting screens to free up space for Cunningham, which is a physical part of the game that doesn’t show up on the stat sheet. 

“It is not easy,” Duren said. “But I mean, I love my job. I'm for all the physicality. I'm banging all night with opposing bigs. Obviously, I'm on the glass, so they are sending guys at me. I'm getting tagged. I'm getting elbowed coming through the lane on my rolls. Obviously, Cade is who he is, so the way guys guard him, they guard him very aggressive. So, when people try to run through my screens, it doesn't feel good.But obviously I try to do my job, man, and I know everybody’s job is hard in its own way, so there's no there's no complaining or anything. I love what I do, and I love playing with the guys I play with.”

Through seven games this season, the Pistons ranked No. 1 in the NBA in net rim points, which takes into account points at the rim allowed on defense along with points at the rim on the other end of the court. Duren is a major reason behind Detroit’s lofty place atop that category, but the physical rigors of his job are not solely tied to the defensive end with how involved he’s been setting screens and battling for offensive boards. 

Along that line, Duren recorded seven offensive rebounds on Wednesday night against the Jazz. All night long, Duren was attacking the glass in search of second-chance points, and the Pistons center took advantage of a depleted Utah frontcourt. 

For more information on the latest Detroit Pistons team or player news, follow @EricJRutter on X for continued basketball coverage.