The Detroit Pistons are no longer just a feel-good story - they’re a full-blown Eastern Conference powerhouse. Sitting atop the standings at 35-12, Detroit capped off a tough Western Conference road swing with a statement win over the Golden State Warriors, 131-124. It wasn’t just the score that turned heads - it was how they did it, and who led the way.
At the heart of that effort? Jalen Duren, who continues to look every bit the breakout star Detroit hoped he’d become.
The 22-year-old center bullied his way to 21 points and 13 rebounds, including six on the offensive glass. That kind of physical dominance didn’t go unnoticed - especially by someone who knows a thing or two about toughness in the paint.
“He came into the NBA with a grown man's body,” said Warriors forward Draymond Green after the game. “Now, he knows how to use it.
It’s night and day in the physicality that he plays with now as opposed to when he first came into the league. He’s handling the ball more, he’s making plays, but I think the biggest difference is he uses his body now.”
Duren’s transformation has been one of the biggest stories of the Pistons’ season. In his fourth year, he’s averaging career highs across the board - 18 points, nearly 11 rebounds per game - and doing it while anchoring one of the stingiest defenses in the league. He’s not just putting up numbers; he’s impacting winning at the highest level.
That All-Star buzz? It’s real. And deserved.
Duren is firmly in the mix to make his first All-Star appearance this year, and if you ask Green, it’s already a done deal.
“He’s an All-Star for sure, no questions asked,” Green said. “Give credit to him for doing the work, give credit to their coaching staff for putting the work in with him to help him improve.”
Green also pointed out another storyline worth watching: Duren turned down a contract extension last offseason. He bet on himself - and he’s delivering in a big way.
“I love when guys bet on themselves and they deliver,” Green added. “Whatever contract he wants, it will be well deserved.”
The Pistons needed every bit of Duren’s energy to bounce back after a tough loss to the Phoenix Suns, where their offense sputtered and Dillon Brooks went off for a career night. Against the Suns, Detroit shot a brutal 20.7% from beyond the arc. But in San Francisco, they flipped the switch - hitting 38.5% from deep and getting contributions up and down the roster.
Six Pistons finished in double figures, and the bench stepped up in a big way. After scoring just 19 points against Phoenix, the second unit poured in 44 against the Warriors - a massive swing in production.
Cade Cunningham was the engine, as usual. He dropped 29 points and dished out 11 assists, controlling the tempo and making plays when it mattered most.
Tobias Harris and Duncan Robinson chipped in 15 points apiece, while backup big Isaiah Stewart gave the team a lift with 14 off the bench. Rookie point guard Daniss Jenkins added 12 in a solid bounce-back performance.
But one of the most impressive efforts came on the defensive end, where rookie forward Ausar Thompson drew the unenviable task of guarding Steph Curry. Thompson didn’t just survive - he thrived.
He played Curry physically, stayed attached through screens, and helped hold the two-time MVP to 23 points on 7-of-16 shooting. Thompson also racked up six steals in just 28 minutes, showcasing the kind of defensive instincts that have become his trademark.
This wasn’t just a road win - it was a reminder. The Pistons are young, deep, and playing with purpose. And with Duren taking a leap, Cunningham leading the charge, and emerging talent stepping up on both ends, Detroit isn’t just leading the East - they’re looking built to last.