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 on Oct. 23 against the Miami Heat. The 22-year-old will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
Duren missed the start of training camp due to contract negotiations before signing a five-year, $200 million deal. He played the final two preseason games and posted 22 points and nine rebounds in the season-opening win over Boston before the injury. The Pistons are 4-2 without him but have missed his presence on both ends.
In Duren's absence, Paul Reed has started at center, averaging 12.8 points on 55% shooting with 6.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.2 blocks in 29.6 minutes per game. John Collins and Tolu Smith have also seen time at the position. Reed, 27, is in his third season with Detroit and will be an unrestricted free agent after the season.
Duren will miss at least the next eight games, including home games against the Los Angeles Lakers (Nov. 8) and Washington Wizards (Nov. 9), a road trip to Washington (Nov. 12), Miami (Nov. 14), San Antonio (Nov. 17), New Orleans (Nov. 18), and home games against Toronto (Nov. 20) and Atlanta (Nov. 22).
