CLEVELAND – The Detroit Pistons suffered a potential injury blow midway through Game 6 when Jalen Duren rolled his ankle during the third quarter of an elimination game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena.
With 6:11 remaining in the period Friday, May 15, Duren – who has drawn the ire of Pistons fans and media due to poor performance in the NBA playoffs – collided with James Harden while rolling to the rim and rolled his left ankle.
He crumpled to the floor and was visibly in pain when he stood up.
Paul Reed, who saw first-half action for the first time in these playoffs, replaced Duren in the lineup with the Pistons leading 68-57.
Duren briefly went to the tunnel and re-tied his left shoe, before returning to the bench. Reed finished the remainder of the quarter. Duren returned to the lineup to open the fourth quarter, with the Pistons opening an 84-70 lead, their biggest cushion of the game.
At the time of the injury, Duren in 20 minutes had nine points, seven rebounds and a pair of blocks. It was one of his most engaged offensive performances, repeatedly attacking Cavs center Jarrett Allen in space and finishing at the rim.
After Duren exited following his injury, the Cavs scored the next four points and the Pistons took a timeout up 68-61.
Detroit responded to re-take a double-digit lead after three quarters, with Reed making numerous plays on both ends.
>>Follow the best Pistons coverage all year round at freep.com/sports/pistons.
Contact Omari Sankofa II at [email protected]. Follow him on X and/or Bluesky.
