The Detroit Pistons have received award nominations following a successful 60-win season, with Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren, Duncan Robinson, and coach J.B. Bickerstaff recognized for their performances.
Key points
Detroit Pistons received award nominations
Team achieved a 60-win season
Pistons secured the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference
Finalists include Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren, Duncan Robinson, and J.B. Bickerstaff
Game 1 of playoffs is on April 19, 2026
Mentioned in this story
J.B. Bickerstaff
Detroit PistonsAusar ThompsonJalen DurenDuncan Robinson
After a 60-win season and the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, the Pistons have three players (and one coach) nominated for end-of-season awards. They include forward Ausar Thompson, center Jalen Duren, guard Duncan Robinson and coach J.B. Bickerstaff.
Here's the breakdown.
Game 1 of first round of NBA Playoff between Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Game 1 of first round of NBA Playoff between Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Game 1 of first round of NBA Playoff between Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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Pistons open 2026 NBA playoffs with Game 1 vs Orlando Magic
Game 1 of first round of NBA Playoff between Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Q&A
Who are the Detroit Pistons award finalists for the 2026 season?
The award finalists for the Detroit Pistons include Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren, Duncan Robinson, and coach J.B. Bickerstaff.
What achievements led to the Pistons receiving award nominations?
The Pistons achieved a 60-win season and secured the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, which contributed to their award nominations.
When is Game 1 of the Pistons' playoff series against the Orlando Magic?
Game 1 of the Pistons' playoff series against the Orlando Magic is scheduled for April 19, 2026.
What positions do Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren play for the Pistons?
Ausar Thompson plays as a forward, while Jalen Duren plays as a center for the Detroit Pistons.
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Thompson is in his third season in the NBA and has arguably grown into the league's best perimeter defender. He played a career-high 73 games during the regular season, becoming a regular starter for a Pistons team that went from 14 to 60 wins over his three years. Thompson led the NBA with two steals per game and added 0.9 blocks per game.
If Thompson wins, he would become the third Piston ever to win the award following Dennis Rodman (1989, 1990, 1991) and Ben Wallace (2001, 2003, 2005, 2006).
Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, April 12, 2026 in Indianapolis.
Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, April 12, 2026 in Indianapolis.
Duren, the No. 13 overall pick in 2022, made his first All-Star team in his fourth season in the league, averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. His rise is arguably the biggest reason for the Pistons' rise from a 44-win team in 2024-25 to a 60-win team in 2025-26.
No Piston has ever won Most Improved Player.
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) dribbles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) dribbles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff reacts to a play against Orlando Magic during the first half of Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff reacts to a play against Orlando Magic during the first half of Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff was named a finalist for Coach of the Year for the second straight season. He finished second to Cleveland's Kenny Atkinson (who replaced Bickerstaff with the Cavs) in 2025.
Bickerstaff is in his second season coaching the Pistons and led Detroit to a 30-win improvement between the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons and another 16-win improvement this season.
Pistons star Cade Cunningham, who got a special exemption from the NBA despite not making the 65-game minimum for awards consideration, was not listed as a finalists for any award (though he can still be considered for an All-NBA team).
The Defensive Player of the Year winner will be announced on Monday, April 20, at 6 p.m. ET on Peacock, while the Most Improved Player winner will be announced on Friday, April 24, at 6:30 p.m. ET on Prime Video.
