Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren has been cleared to begin on-court basketball activity, the team announced Sunday, November 8. The 22-year-old has been sidelined since suffering a right hamstring strain on October 23 against the Miami Heat.
Duren will be re-evaluated in two weeks and will miss at least the next eight games. The Pistons are 4-2 in his absence but have missed his presence on both ends of the floor.
Duren missed the start of training camp due to contract negotiations that concluded with 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.
In Duren's absence, Paul Reed has started at center, 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, 1.5 steals and 1.2 blocks in 29.6 minutes per game. He is in his third season with Detroit and will become an unrestricted free agent after the season; his $5.6 million salary becomes fully guaranteed on January 10.
The Pistons' upcoming schedule includes home games against the Los Angeles Lakers (Nov. 8) and Washington Wizards (Nov. 9), followed by a four-game road trip.
