FREE WINGS IN DETROIT. The Cade Cunningham-less Pistons take down the No. 1 seed OKC Thunder. 🔥 Jalen Duren: 22 PTS - 21 REB - 9/13 FG
Short-Handed Detroit Pistons stun OKC Thunder behind monster Jalen Duren double-double
NBASunday, 28 January 2024 at 22:39
A battle between the top seeded Oklahoma City Thunder and
the 15th seeded Detroit Pistons did not go as expected. Despite a
late scratch by star Cade Cunningham, the shorthanded Detroit Pistons stunned
the OKC Thunder 120-104 behind a dominant performance by Jalen Duren.
Jalen Duren led the Pistons with 22 points, 21 rebounds, and
a career-high 6 assists on 69% shooting. The second-year standout has been on a
tear this season, registering his 22nd double-double of the season with
averages of 13.8 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists on the year. Second-year
guard Jaden Ivey finished with 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists while Bojan
Bogdanovic ended the night with 17 points.
For the Thunder, 2-time All-Star and MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
led all OKC players with 31 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, making this his 34th
game this season scoring 30+ points. Jalen Williams chipped in 20 points on 50%
shooting, but it was a rough night for Rookie of the Year candidate Chet
Holmgren, who finished the night with 9 points and 12 rebounds.
Tonight’s victory doesn’t do much in terms of the standings
for the Detroit Pistons, but it does give them a confidence boost moving
forward into the season. They currently sit at 15th in the Eastern Conference
with a record of 6-40, but over their last 10 games they are 3-7 and this victory
can help this rebuilding team finish the year strong. Their next game will be
on Wednesday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Meanwhile, for OKC, this loss isn’t ideal. They are still tied
for 1st in the Western Conference with a record of 32-14, but for a
team fighting for the top spot in a competitive Western Conference race every
game matters. Over their last 10 games, the Thunder are 7-3. They have a chance
to bounce back tomorrow night against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the team they
are tied with for the top spot in the Western Conference.
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