Jalen Duren opens selection for 2026 NBA All Star

Detroit Pistons‘ center Jalen Duren was the biggest focal point of the week when he was announced as a 2026 NBA All-Star reserve..

Duren was one of the most impressive players in the NBA regular season. His All-Star nod now places him as the third Piston on the roster, joining the point guard Cade Cunningham and head coach JB Bickerstaff. The announcement was made at Little Caesars Arena after the first timeout of the opening period.

Duren walked to the podium after the game with a bright smile on his face after the game Pistons win 130-77 against the Brooklyn Nets. The 22-year-old big man was happy to talk about the importance of All-Star honors.

“I mean, it was hard because I’m trying to focus on the game. I didn’t really want to know until the end. But I mean, it’s a blessing, man. Like I said, it’s hard not to smile. It’s hard not to be happy,” Duren explained. “Just a testament to the work. I thank my teammates, coaches and everyone who helped me get here. I couldn’t do it alone – I’m just happy.”

Duren made a significant jump in offensive production, averaging 18 points and just under 11 rebounds per game. His defensive growth has complemented that development with a career-best 106.8 defensive rating. That dominance was on full display against the Nets, posting 21 points and ten rebounds in 24 minutes.

The NBA coaches’ voting for All-Star reserves shows how much respect Duren has earned this season. Even the players love a striker Draymond Green noticed his growth as a player and showered his game with praise. Bickerstaff also had his own words of admiration for what Duren has accomplished this season.

“It’s been great. And that’s why we’re here and that’s why we do the job that we do. You try to help people achieve their goals. Being able to work with him is a pleasure every day. His attitude is the same every day. His approach is the same. His work ethic is the same. His thirst for knowledge and desire to do it better and to ask him to do things better. The win was just unbelievable,” Bickerstaff said during the postgame media session.

“In the year and a half that we’ve been together, I’ve been impressed with him every day. More as a person, I’ve watched him grow as a leader. Now he’s using his voice. So it’s just great. It’s a great thing to be able to sit next to somebody and watch those things happen to them.”

Cade Cunningham’s historic performance

The Pistons defeated the Nets by the largest margin in franchise history. The game remained in the Pistons’ control throughout the contest, en route to their second straight victory. Detroit’s team effort featured a standout performance by 2026 All-Star starter Cade Cunningham.

Cunningham became the first player in NBA history to record at least 18 points, 12 assists, four steals and three blocks in less than 30 minutes. Cunningham has shined as one of the league’s best offensive players, but his defensive production has been impressive this season as well. The Pistons needed just 26 minutes of action from their franchise point guard.

Reserve point guard Daniss Jenkins made his presence felt off the bench with 18 points. Detroit’s second unit scored a total of 63 points to help the Pistons to victory.