Pistons' Paul Reed steps up with 19-point double-double as Jalen Duren sits
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The gist
Pistons forward Paul Reed scored 19 points and 11 rebounds off the bench in a 128-111 win over Miami.
With starting center Jalen Duren out, Reed's bigger role is an early test of Detroit's depth.
Background
Paul Reed is a Detroit Pistons player who came off the bench in Friday's win over the Miami Heat. His expanded minutes followed starting center Jalen Duren leaving early with a right thigh injury, and Duren was later ruled out for Sunday's game at Philadelphia. Detroit opened the season 2-0 for the first time since 2018-19, and head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Reed has taken huge offensive steps and works as hard as any player he has coached.
How it unfolded
- Oct 20, 2026Reed had 6 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal in 17 minutes in Detroit's 121-113 win over Boston.
- Oct 23, 2026Reed scored 19 points with 11 rebounds and 4 assists in 26 minutes off the bench in a 128-111 win over Miami, capitalizing on Jalen Duren's early exit.
- Oct 25, 2026Duren was officially ruled out for Sunday's game at Philadelphia, with Reed expected to take on a larger role, possibly in the starting lineup.
Who’s saying what
- Coach
- Bickerstaff said Reed has taken huge steps offensively and that he has never been around a player who works harder.
- Analysts
- RotoWire said Reed could be an appealing short-term fantasy option if Duren misses more time, though his role would likely shrink once Detroit's starting center returns.
Still unverified
Duren's injury was described as a right thigh injury in one report and as a hamstring injury in another; Ausar Thompson's availability for Sunday remained uncertain after rolling his right ankle against Miami.