Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren. Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

Pistons center Jalen Duren makes franchise history in career-best game

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Mar 18, 2026 12:05 AM ET

In leading the Detroit Pistons to victory on Tuesday night, Jalen Duren made fans remember franchise icon Isiah Thomas.

At just 22 years and 119 days old, Duren had a career-best performance that also made history against the Washington Wizards.

He set a new career-high with 36 points off an efficient 76.5% clip from the field and also added 12 rebounds and a pair of assists.

Only the great Isiah Thomas did it at a younger age

Duren became the second-youngest player in Pistons franchise history to ever record 35-plus points and at least 10 rebounds in a game, trailing only Thomas doing it at 21-years-old.

A CAREER NIGHT FOR JALEN DUREN!

36 PTS (career-high)
12 REB

At 22 years and 119 days old, Duren becomes the 2nd-youngest player in Pistons franchise history to record 35+ PTS, and 10+ REB in a game, trailing only Isiah Thomas (21y, 284d). pic.twitter.com/JSED2aKyfU
— NBA (@NBA) March 18, 2026

Duren has also been on a tear as of late, also reaching 30 points on March 13 against the Memphis Grizzlies. He's scored at least 20 points in five out of his last six games.

Jalen Duren has put together the best season of his career

Duren's 2025-26 season has been the best of his young career to date and is a big reason why the Pistons are sitting at the top of the Eastern Conference at 49-19.

After averaging 11.8 points per game in 2024-25 and 13.8 the season prior, Duren, the 13th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft and an All-Star for the first time this season, is carrying a scoring average of exactly 19 points per game to go along with his 10.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists through 58 games.

Duren and Detroit will try to build a winning streak and increase their place as the East's No. 1 seed when they meet the lowly Wizards again on Thursday night and then the fading Golden State Warriors on Friday.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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