The Detroit Pistons announced Sunday that center Jalen Duren has been cleared to begin on-court basketball activity, just over two weeks after suffering a right hamstring strain. The 22-year-old will be re-evaluated again in two weeks.
Duren sustained the injury on October 23 against the Miami Heat in the second game of the season, exiting in the second quarter after driving to the basket. He missed the start of training camp due to a contract negotiation that concluded with a five-year, $200 million deal signed just before the deadline. Duren appeared in the final two preseason games and posted 22 points and nine rebounds in the season-opening win over Boston.
The Pistons have gone 4-2 in Duren's absence but have missed his presence on both ends of the floor. He is expected to miss at least the next eight games over the coming two weeks.
In Duren's place, Paul Reed has moved into the starting center role, with John Collins shifting to center when Reed rests. Reed, 27, is averaging 12.8 points on 55% shooting, 6.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.2 turnovers, 1.5 steals and 1.2 blocks in 29.6 minutes per game since entering the lineup. He is in his third season with Detroit and will become an unrestricted free agent after this season; his $5.6 million salary becomes fully guaranteed on January 10.
Upcoming Pistons schedule during Duren's absence includes home games against the Los Angeles Lakers (Nov. 8) and Washington Wizards (Nov. 9), followed by a four-game road trip with matches at Washington (Nov. 12), Miami (Nov. 14), San Antonio (Nov. 17), New Orleans (Nov. 18), then home against Toronto (Nov. 20) and at Atlanta (Nov. 22).
