Jalen Duren continued his breakout season on Friday night, putting on a dominant performance in the Detroit Pistons’ win over the Brooklyn Nets.
The young center controlled the paint with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and three steals, further cementing his status as one of the league’s most improved big men.
Through the early stretch of the season, Duren is averaging 19.2 points and 11.3 rebounds per game – both career highs.
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised Duren’s growth and the commitment he showed throughout the offseason.
“We’ve put together a plan over the summer for him and he was as dedicated to that plan as anybody,” Bickerstaff told The Detroit Free Press.
“He worked relentlessly on his game. He’s always had the talent. I think the confidence is coming now, too, so he can see what he can do against other guys.”
Bickerstaff also noted the evolution in Duren’s offensive approach, emphasizing how much more assertive he’s become with the ball.
“You watch how much more aggressive he is offensively with the ball in his hands,” the coach said.
“I think last year it was a lot of him getting set up. We wanted him to attack more. We want him to try to create for himself more, put more pressure on the defense. I think he’s done that. It all comes down to the work that he’s put in.”
Duren, who will be a restricted free agent next summer after Detroit couldn’t reach an extension before last month’s deadline, has drawn widespread praise from teammates as well.
Cade Cunningham spoke highly of the 21-year-old’s development, saying, “He’s dominant. He’s not waiting. He’s attacking every game. Really can’t enough be said about how he’s approached the game lately and he has all the ability in the world to do what he’s been doing. It’s exciting.”
Pistons Notes: Duren, Cunningham, Stewart, Klintman, Jones https://t.co/EFMvcMjN7F pic.twitter.com/iGCrWlm1GR
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) November 8, 2025
