Pistons Rule Out Jalen Duren Against 76ers; Ausar Thompson Questionable With Ankle Injury

Detroit will be without its starting center Sunday, while the availability of one of its top defenders remains uncertain following Friday’s victory over Miami.

DETROIT, MI — October 24, 2026 — The Detroit Pistons are facing their first significant injury challenge of the young NBA season.

Starting center Jalen Duren has been ruled out of Sunday’s road matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers with a right hamstring strain, according to the NBA’s October 24 injury report.

Forward Ausar Thompson is listed as questionable with a right ankle sprain.

The update comes less than 24 hours after both players exited Detroit’s 128–111 victory over the Miami Heat on Friday night.

Detroit improved to 2–0 with the win, marking the franchise’s first 2–0 start since the 2018–19 season.

However, the Pistons will now have to navigate Sunday’s matchup without Duren and potentially without Thompson.

Duren Ruled Out After Leaving Friday’s Victory

Duren’s injury occurred midway through the second quarter against Miami.

While attempting to attack the basket against Giannis Antetokounmpo, Duren appeared to experience discomfort in his right leg.

He immediately headed toward the locker room and did not return.

Before exiting, Duren recorded four points, six rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block in 10 minutes.

The Pistons initially described the injury as a right thigh issue. Saturday’s injury report provided a more specific designation: a right hamstring strain.

Although Duren has been ruled out against Philadelphia, the team has not announced a timetable for his return.

His absence creates an immediate challenge for Detroit’s frontcourt.

Duren provides size, rebounding, interior defense and a reliable presence around the basket.

The Pistons will need to replace those contributions against a Philadelphia team that enters Sunday’s matchup with a 2–0 record.

Ausar Thompson Questionable With Right Ankle Sprain

Thompson’s injury occurred during the third quarter of Friday’s game.

While defending Miami forward Andrew Wiggins, Thompson appeared to roll his right ankle after stepping on Wiggins’ heel.

He remained down briefly before getting up and limping toward the locker room.

Thompson did not return.

He finished with four points, three rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block in 19 minutes.

Unlike Duren, Thompson has not been ruled out for Sunday.

His questionable designation means Detroit is still evaluating his availability.

Thompson has become one of the Pistons’ most valuable defensive players because of his ability to guard multiple positions, pressure ballhandlers and create opportunities in transition.

Losing him alongside Duren would significantly alter Detroit’s defensive options.

For now, the Pistons must prepare for the possibility of playing without both starters.

Paul Reed Could Play a Major Role Against Philadelphia

One encouraging development from Friday’s victory was the performance of Paul Reed.

After Duren exited, Reed provided Detroit with an impressive effort off the bench.

He finished with:

• 19 points

• 11 rebounds

• Four assists

• 8-of-11 shooting from the field

• 2-of-2 shooting from three-point range

Reed’s performance helped Detroit maintain control of a game it led from start to finish.

With Duren unavailable Sunday, Reed becomes a strong candidate for an expanded role and potentially a spot in the starting lineup.

However, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has not officially announced Sunday’s starting five.

Ron Holland could also see additional playing time if Thompson is unable to suit up.

Detroit has several options, but replacing the production and defensive versatility of two starters will require a collective effort.

Detroit’s Depth Passed Its First Test Against Miami

Despite losing Duren and Thompson, the Pistons continued to dominate Friday’s matchup.

John Collins led Detroit with 23 points and seven rebounds, while Duncan Robinson contributed 17 points.

Cade Cunningham finished with 16 points and eight assists.

Detroit shot 53% from the field and connected on 18 three-pointers.

The performance demonstrated the offensive flexibility Detroit has developed with its roster.

More importantly, the Pistons did not allow the injuries to disrupt their approach.

They maintained their advantage and secured a convincing road victory.

Sunday presents a different challenge.

Philadelphia will have an opportunity to prepare specifically for Detroit’s potential lineup changes.

The Pistons will need another strong performance from their supporting cast to remain undefeated.

MCSN ANALYSIS: Detroit’s Depth Is About to Be Tested

The Pistons deserve credit for the way they handled Friday’s adversity.

Losing two starters during a game can completely change a team’s approach.

Detroit didn’t panic.

Instead, the supporting cast stepped up, the offense continued producing, and the Pistons walked away with a 17-point victory.

But there’s a difference between surviving injuries during one game and preparing to play an entire game without key contributors.

Duren is an important part of Detroit’s interior presence.

Thompson brings defensive versatility that cannot easily be replicated by another player on the roster.

And while Reed’s performance against Miami was encouraging, expecting him to reproduce those numbers every night would be unreasonable.

MCSN’s Take: The Pistons have enough depth to compete without Duren, but losing Thompson as well would make Sunday’s matchup considerably more difficult.

This is where Bickerstaff’s coaching decisions become important.

Detroit must find the right combinations without sacrificing its defensive identity.

The Pistons have invested in building a deeper, more versatile roster.

Now that depth will face an early test.

There’s also a bigger picture to consider.

Detroit has played only two regular-season games.

Rushing either player back would make little sense if additional recovery time is necessary.

A strong start is important, but protecting the team’s health over an 82-game season matters more than forcing players into the lineup in October.

The Pistons should approach these injuries carefully while giving their supporting cast an opportunity to contribute.

What’s Next for Detroit?

The Pistons visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, October 25, with tipoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

Detroit will attempt to improve to 3–0 despite being without Duren.

Thompson’s availability remains uncertain, and his status could be updated before Sunday’s game.

Following Philadelphia, the Pistons continue their road trip against the New York Knicks on Tuesday, October 27.

For now, Detroit’s focus shifts toward maintaining its unbeaten start while navigating the first significant injury concerns of the season.

Motor City Sports Network will continue tracking both players’ availability and any additional updates from the Pistons ahead of Sunday’s matchup.