Jalen Duren's nightmare first-round series continues in Game 4 vs. Magic

Midway through the third quarter, the 2025-26 All-Star selection was blocked by Magic center Wendell Carter Jr., who then scored on an alley-top when Duren lost him on the pick-and-roll, leading to the easy look.

Analyst Steven Jones pointed to Orlando's emphasis on Duren, showing one play where the Magic kept a defender locked on him, then went to a double team. While Duren drew the foul, plays like that show how they've successfully managed to keep him off rhythm.

With the Pistons heading home and their backs against the wall in Game 5, they need their All-Stars to play up to their labels. That includes, but is not limited to Duren. Guard Cade Cunningham, considered an MVP candidate during the regular season, had more turnovers (eight) than field goals (seven) in Game 4 while scoring an inefficient 25 points on 23 attempts.

With Detroit's best players wilting under the playoff pressure, it's no wonder it's on the brink of becoming just the seventh 1-seed to lose to a No. 8 in NBA postseason history.

The Pistons have plenty of blame to go around, but Duren's drop-off in production from the regular season to the Eastern Conference first round has been the most severe. Unless he rediscovers that earlier form, Detroit's next game will also be its last.