Detroit Pistons' Jalen Duren finds ways to be productive during postseason

Similar to the regular season, Isaiah Stewart and Thompson received much of the credit for the Pistons' strong defense; however, Duren was equally impactful.

He averaged 1.3 blocks during the seven-game series. His best defensive performance came despite the Game 3 defeat, in which Duren notched a season-high five blocks inside Kia Center on April 25. However, Duren's most important non-scoring moment came in the final seconds of Detroit's Game 5 victory.

Detroit center Jalen Duren dunks the ball during the second quarter of Game 7 of the NBA first-round playoff series between the Detroit Pistons and the Orlando Magic at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Sunday, May 3, 2026.

"He impacts the game in so many ways. I think people want to focus on stats and numbers and points, but that’s not only where he helps us," coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. "He does a great job defensively protecting the rim, communicating our defense. Our defense isn’t where it is without the anchors that we have here. Every single night, he went out and anchored our defense, and our defense was elite through this whole series."

With 35.5 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Cade Cunningham made a mid-range jumper that helped the Pistons secure a 116-109 victory, staving off elimination. The crucial moment was set up after Thompson won a 50-50 ball from the Magic's Jalen Suggs. It followed Tobias Harris' missed 14-foot jumper over Paolo Banchero.

Amid the ensuing chaos, Thompson gained control of the loose ball that resulted from Duren tipping an offensive rebound to his teammate. If it hadn’t been for Duren’s hustle, the Pistons' season could have ended in Game 5, especially since the Magic had all the momentum during the last five minutes of the game.

"You can be effective in different ways," Duren said. "Scoring has never been the main part of my game; it’s something that I’ve added, and over the last couple of years and months or whatever. But I feel like it was just key for me to stick with it. That’s it."

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Duren finally overcame his struggles during the Pistons' Game 7 clincher. Along with grabbing 15 rebounds, he notched his only double-double performance of the series by adding 15 points. Duren's play helped lift the Pistons to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

Although Duren provided enough production to prevent a major upset for the Pistons, they will need more from their star big man against the Cavaliers, considering the consistent offensive threat they pose.

Duren's struggles were challenging during the first round. But, starting in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the second round gives him a chance to apply the lessons learned against the Magic to have an even greater impact versus the Cavaliers.

"I know who I am, I know who the team is," Duren said. "I never doubted anything. I never doubted the guys that I was going to war with. I never doubted the coaches. Never. Let’s keep going, let’s keep proving the world wrong."

NBA Playoffs, second round: No. 1 Pistons vs. No. 4 Cavaliers

Game 1: at Detroit, Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. (Peacock/NBCSN)

Game 2: at Detroit, Thursday, 7:00 p.m. (Amazon Prime)

Game 3: at Cleveland, Saturday, 3:00 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)

Game 4: at Cleveland, Monday, May 11, 8:00 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)

x-Game 5: at Detroit, Wednesday, May 13, TBD (TBD)

x-Game 6: at Cleveland, Friday, May 15, TBD (TBD)

x-Game 7: at Detroit, Sunday, May 17 TBD (TBD)

x-If necessary

coty.davis@detroitnews.com

@cotydavis_24

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Detroit Pistons' Jalen Duren finds ways to be productive in postseason