Jalen Duren drove downhill against Giannis Antetokounmpo and grabbed the back of his right knee before immediately exiting to the locker room in Friday's 128-111 Pistons win over the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center. The team announced Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, that he has a right hamstring strain and will be re-evaluated in two weeks. Duren played just over 10 minutes and left with 6:45 left in the first half after 2-of-4 shooting for 4 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists. He signed a 5-year, $200 million extension earlier this month through 2030-2031 and averages 13 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2 assists this season. Paul Reed posted 19 points and 11 rebounds on 8-for-11 shooting off the bench. Ronald Holland II added 8 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in 22 minutes. Pistons sit at 2-0 heading into Sunday against the 76ers and expect Duren to miss six games: 76ers twice, Knicks, Hornets twice and Nets. Paul Reed is expected to start at center, with Tolu Smith and John Collins taking extra minutes. Clearance at two weeks would target a Nov. 8 return versus the Lakers. Ugonna Onyenso trains with the G League Motor City Cruise.
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Hamstring issues often need more than two weeks to heal fully so the team should avoid rushing him back even if he feels better soon.
Duren's absence opens the door for Reed to start but the Pistons frontcourt depth looks thin with these extra minutes for Smith and Collins.