Pistons Star Jalen Duren Is Having Historic 'Falloff' This NBA Playoffs

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated May 15, 2026 7:00 PM ET

It's not an understatement to say the 2026 postseason has been a disaster for Detroit Pistons star Jalen Duren.

The Pistons earned the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference because players like Duren were exceptional in the regular season. He averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, earning All-Star honors for the first time in his career.

Unfortunately for the Pistons, Duren is only averaging 10.1 points per game in the playoffs. The coaching staff had no choice but to bench him in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

"I feel like I could be better in all aspects of the game," Duren told reporters. "Continue to grind and continue to grow."

May 7, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) is defended by Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) in the second half during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images© Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images&period;

The Athletic revealed that Duren's scoring drop-off in the playoffs is the second largest in NBA history for an All-Star. The only other All-Star to have a falloff this bad was Wilt Chamberlain in 1962. The legendary center went from 50.4 points per game to 35.0 in the playoffs.

NBA fans couldn't help but troll Duren once this stat was made public.

"I guess you can be on a list just you and Wilt and it’s NOT a good thing," one fan said.

"The only information i got from this is that Wilt is a top 10 player ever with no chance of ever getting bumped out," a second fan commented.

"First man to get a 'since Wilt' and have it somehow be a bad thing," another fan replied.

Jalen Duren's scoring falloff in this year's playoffs is the second largest in NBA history for an All-Star.

The only All-Star to have a larger average drop (min 10 GP) is Wilt Chamberlain in 1962, who went from 50.4 PPG to 35.0 in the playoffs.

H/T @UnderdogNBA pic.twitter.com/WYQYaG1Qqy
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) May 14, 2026

Pistons need Duren now more than ever.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons will resume their second-round series this Friday at Rocket Arena.

If the Pistons want to force a Game 7, they need Duren to finally snap out of this funk. They can't just lean on Cade Cunningham in a do-or-die situation.

Tipoff for the Pistons-Cavaliers game is at 7 p.m. ET on Prime Video.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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