The Detroit Pistons don’t have a player in the All-Star game, something fans have grown used to considering they’ve only had four spread out over the last 14 years.
But the team has been a mainstay in the Rising Stars Challenge, featuring players like Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart, Cade Cunningham and this year both Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey.
This year’s Jordan Mini-Tournament promises to be one of the most exciting events of the weekend, as it pits teams made up of both sophomores and rookies against one another in a tournament format.
The Detroit Pistons had two players selected for the event, though it almost certainly would have been three had Cunningham not been ruled out for the season, which is a good sign for the future of the franchise.
But they are playing it safe this year, which means we’ll only see one young Piston this weekend.
Detroit Pistons: Will Jalen Duren play in the Rising Stars Challenge?
According to Detroit News among others, Jalen Duren will not play in the Rising Stars Challenge due to an ankle injury that he suffered against the Raptors.
The rookie did look to be laboring over the last few games, which could have been from the ankle or just the youngest player in the league hitting the infamous “rookie wall.” Not playing in this game will give Duren a full week of rest, which should allow him to finish the season strong, healthy and hopefully on a high note.
Duren will be replaced by Tari Eason, who many thought should have been chosen for the game anyway, so it worked out well for the Rockets’ forward.
Jaden Ivey will still compete in the mini-tournament as well as the Skills Challenge, so the Detroit Pistons will have some representation at All-Star Weekend.
Hopefully soon we’ll see some Pistons in the All-Star game itself, as they have not featured a player since Blake Griffin in the 2018-19 season.