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Jalen Duren silenced the critics with All-Star
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Editorial Team
2026-10-15
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Jalen Duren made a statement in his preseason debut on Wednesday night, scoring 24 points in just 15 minutes as the Detroit Pistons beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-106. The performance came after a summer of public attention on the center's contract negotiations, and it gave Pistons fans a first look at him since he signed a five-year, $200 million deal earlier this month.
Duren was aggressive from the start. On the game's first play he took a pass from Ausar Thompson and made a short baseline jumper. He finished 8-of-9 from the field and 8-of-8 from the free-throw line, and also had three rebounds, an assist, two steals and a block. He did it against Rudy Gobert, one of the league's top defenders. Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said afterward that Duren was aggressive, looked fast and quick, and set the tone on both ends of the floor. The win put Detroit at 2-1 in the preseason and was the first time the team had its full roster on the floor.
The game was a welcome sign after a tense offseason. Duren was an All-Star last season and made the All-NBA Third Team, averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds on 65% shooting in 70 games as the Pistons went 60-22. Contract talks dragged on, however, and ESPN reported that he was frustrated to hear in negotiations that the team considered him its fourth-best player, perhaps a reference to how far his play fell in the playoffs. In the series against Cleveland, he averaged only 9.4 points and 6.6 rebounds, which drew heavy criticism, though he bounced back in Game 6 with 15 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks.
It is only one preseason game, and writers covering the team were quick to say so. Detroit's website Piston Powered noted that some critics won't be satisfied until Duren performs in the playoffs. Still, Cade Cunningham remains the Pistons' main focus, and if Duren can bring the same offensive production, Detroit could once again contend in the Eastern Conference. Details come from Sports Illustrated, Piston Powered and Roundtable.
