Jalen Duren drops 24 points in 15 minutes in his Pistons preseason debut

MINNEAPOLIS — Oct. 14, 2026 — Jalen Duren needed one half. The Pistons posted the early proof with a three-word caption — he’s back — and by intermission Duren had 24 points on 8-of-9 shooting and 8-of-8 free throws in 15 minutes. Detroit then sat him for the second half of a 128-106 preseason win at Target Center.

HE'S BACKKKK pic.twitter.com/TenbJll8dT

— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) October 15, 2026

First look after the wait

Duren had not played in Detroit’s first two exhibitions while the club managed his ramp-up after a long offseason contract process. Wednesday was the debut. The Pistons also clipped him going to work in the opening minutes — six points, one assist and one steal in his first three on the floor — before the half-line ballooned. Jack Borman noted he was perfect inside the paint on his field goals and that Minnesota had no answer for the bruising finishes.

What the box score shows

Duren’s final line read 24 points, three rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block in 15 minutes. He did not return after halftime with Detroit already in control. Cade Cunningham had 14 points and nine assists in 25 minutes. Duncan Robinson made four of five threes for 15 points. The Pistons owned the paint 64-30, shot 45-of-79 from the floor and finished with 32 assists in front of 10,262 fans.

Minnesota led 38-29 after one. Detroit answered with a 36-20 second quarter to take a 65-58 break lead, then pulled away. Anthony Edwards paced the Wolves with 20 points on 5-of-15 shooting. For Duren, the sample was short by design — one half, near-perfect efficiency, then the night ended.

Why it matters

Preseason debuts after long contract waits usually stay quiet on the highlight reel. This one came with a team video and a 24-point half that settled the “when does he play” question in a single night. Detroit still has exhibitions left before the opener. The first answer from Target Center was blunt — when Duren got minutes, he spent them at the rim and the line, and the staff shut him down once the point was made.