Jalen Duren is a mountain of a man. Standing 6-foot-10 and weighing in at a solid 250 pounds, the Detroit Pistons center has always looked the part of an NBA enforcer. But looking the part and actually playing like an All-Star are two very different things.
Honestly, for a while there, Pistons fans were getting a little restless. We saw the flashes, sure, but the consistency just wasn't there. Then came this recent stretch. If you haven't been watching the Jalen Duren stats last 10 games, you've been missing out on a legitimate breakout. He isn't just "rim running" anymore. He's anchoring a team that, believe it or not, is currently sitting at the top of the Eastern Conference with a 29-10 record.
The Numbers Don't Lie
Let's get into the nitty-gritty of the Jalen Duren stats last 10 games. Since mid-December, Duren has been a double-double machine, even with a pesky ankle injury that sidelined him for a four-game stretch in early January.
In his most recent outing on January 15 against the Phoenix Suns, Duren was absolute chaos for the opposing defense. He put up 16 points and grabbed a massive 18 rebounds in 28 minutes. That’s not just a good game; that’s dominance. Over this 10-game window, he's averaging about 16.2 points and 11.4 rebounds per contest.
One thing that’s really changed? His efficiency. Basically, he stopped forcing the bad stuff. He’s shooting roughly 63.3% from the field this season, which is sixth in the league. But in the last few weeks, he’s been even more surgical. Look at the December 22 game against Portland where he dropped 26 points, or the December 23 track meet in Sacramento where he had 23. The guy is becoming a bucket.
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Jalen Duren Stats Last 10 Games: A Closer Look at the Impact
It isn't just about the points, though. Duren’s gravity in the paint is opening everything up for Cade Cunningham. When Duren is a threat to tear the rim down on every lob, defenses have to suck in. That gives Cade the room he needs to operate in the mid-range or find shooters like Duncan Robinson on the perimeter.
Defensive Growth and the Ankle Scare
There was a moment on January 1 against Miami where everyone in Detroit held their breath. Duren rolled his right ankle late in the second quarter. He tried to come back in the third, played three minutes, and realized it wasn't happening. He ended that night with 12 points and 5 rebounds in just 18 minutes.
That injury cost him four games—wins against Cleveland, New York, and Chicago, and a loss to the Clippers. But coming back against the Suns and immediately grabbing 18 boards? That tells you the conditioning is there.
His defense is also noticeably "sharper." He’s averaging nearly a block per game (0.94) and about 0.9 steals. While those aren't Hakeem Olajuwon numbers, his positioning under J.B. Bickerstaff has been much better. He’s not just chasing blocks and getting out of position anymore. He’s actually anchored a defense that ranks second in the NBA in defensive rating ($110.3$).
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The "New" Offensive Diet
What most people get wrong about Duren is thinking he's just a dunker. According to recent tracking data, he’s actually shifted his shot diet. Last year, about 33% of his shots came from that 3-to-10 foot range—the "no man's land" for many bigs. This year? That’s up to nearly 45%.
He’s developed this little push shot and a baseline hook that’s actually reliable. It makes him so much harder to guard because you can't just play him for the lob. If you back off, he’ll just hit a 6-foot floater in your face.
Why the Pistons Success Rides on Duren
Detroit is 29-10. Let that sink in. They have a 4.5-game lead in the East. While Cade Cunningham is the engine, Duren is the chassis.
- Rebound chances: Duren is second in the NBA in rebound chances per game at 20.7. If the ball is near the rim, it's probably his.
- The "Double-Double" Factor: He has 19 double-doubles in 32 appearances this season.
- Free Throw Improvement: He’s up to 71.9% from the line this season, which is a massive jump from his rookie year. You can't just "Hack-a-Duren" anymore.
There’s some talk about him being an All-Star reserve. Honestly, he deserves it. The coaches see the impact even if the casual fans voting for the starters don't. He’s transformed from a raw prospect into a top-tier NBA center right before our eyes.
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If you're looking at the Jalen Duren stats last 10 games to see if he's a fluke, the answer is a pretty resounding no. The volume is up, the efficiency is holding steady, and most importantly, the Pistons are winning.
For the rest of the season, watch his health. That right ankle has been a bit of a recurring theme, and the Pistons need him 100% if they’re going to make a deep playoff run. If he stays on the floor, expect those 15-point, 15-rebound nights to become the standard, not the exception.
Keep an eye on his matchups against other elite bigs. He’s struggled historically against lengthier, skinnier centers who can pull him out of the paint, but his improved footwork is starting to close that gap. The next step is proving he can do this in a seven-game playoff series.
Monitor the injury reports for any "load management" on back-to-backs. Since the ankle sprain is still fresh, the coaching staff might be cautious with his minutes. If you're a fantasy manager or just a die-hard fan, that's the main variable to watch. Otherwise, just enjoy the show—the "Big Man" era is back in Detroit.