How Pistons Young Stars Kept Detroit Afloat Without Cade Cunningham

The path to this point has made the achievement even more impressive.

Despite losing Cade Cunningham to injury, Detroit now needs just one more win—or one loss by the Boston Celtics—to clinch the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. The climb has been a clear reflection of the team’s identity.

“Next man up” is one of the most overused clichés in sports. But for the Pistons, it has carried real meaning.

Detroit has gone 8–2 over its last 10 games without its All-NBA guard, turning adversity into a measuring stick for growth. Players have expanded their roles in meaningful ways, and the collective response has pushed the team to peak at the right time—just as the postseason approaches.

And a closer look reveals just how much they’ve evolved without their franchise centerpiece.

Jalen Duren

The 22-year-old center is averaging 25 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists while shooting 68 percent from the field. The first-time All-Star has positioned himself firmly in the Most Improved Player conversation, and with his current level of play, he has a legitimate case to enter the All-NBA discussion.

While his scoring volume and efficiency have remained elite despite increased usage, it’s his playmaking that has stood out just as much.

Jalen Duren has the 2nd most games this season with 20 PTS & 10 REB on 50% FG.

Only Nikola Jokic has more. pic.twitter.com/U6JjfuPIcg
— Real App (@realapp) April 3, 2026

Duren has taken on responsibilities as an offensive hub—bringing the ball up the floor, initiating sets, and facilitating from the top. He’s finding cutters in split actions, drawing defenders into the paint, and consistently making the right secondary reads. It’s a clear expansion of his offensive role.

This stretch has also revealed something important: the Pistons can run their offense through Duren in Cunningham’s absence.

And if that holds, it opens up new possibilities even when Cade Cunningham returns.

In matchups where opposing defenses pressure Cunningham at the point of attack—such as against the Spurs—Duren can serve as the offensive hub, allowing Cunningham to operate off the catch and attack more efficiently.

Ausar Thompson

Ausar Thompson has been the defensive catalyst for this team.

Fresh off his second Defensive Player of the Month award this season, Thompson is averaging nearly three steals and 1.1 blocks per game during this stretch. His versatility has been on full display, drawing matchups against elite scorers such as Luka Dončić, Dejounte Murray, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Brandon Ingram.

Ausar Thompson vs Minnesota:

7 PTS
9 REB
9 AST
2 STL
3 BLK

Passes Wemby in games with 2+ steals and 2+ blocks this season. pic.twitter.com/nq4Tox11g1
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 3, 2026

He’s handled switches onto bigger players, contained quicker guards, and consistently created turnovers with his signature strip — reaching around ball-handlers to poke the ball free and ignite transition opportunities.

But it’s the high-effort, sequence plays that best capture his impact.

Against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Thompson sprinted back in transition, navigated around a Rudy Gobert screen, helped contain a drive, then exploded out to the corner to meet a shooter at the release point — blocking the shot with both hands.

It was a snapshot of his elevated defensive dominance.

Daniss Jenkins

Daniss Jenkins has been a revelation. The former G League player, who worked his way from a two-way contract to a standard deal, has stepped into Cade Cunningham’s role admirably. Jenkins has started the team’s last nine games, and during that stretch, the second-year guard is averaging 19 points, seven assists, and four rebounds while shooting 44 percent from three-point range.

His ability to operate both off the ball and on it — combined with his shooting, positional defense, and athleticism in transition — has given the Pistons valuable flexibility in the backcourt.

Kevin Huerter

Kevin Huerter’s impact has begun to take shape.

Kevin Huerter's last 7 games

12.1 pts (60.5 TS%)
2.9 reb
2.7 ast
40.6% from three pic.twitter.com/iJSXlC1hXK
— really cool guy (@reallyc02821829) April 3, 2026

Initially, the trade-deadline acquisition produced limited returns. He recorded six DNPs early on, and his shot struggled to fall. But over his last seven games, Huerter is averaging 12 points and nearly three assists while shooting 40 percent from three.

Beyond the shooting, his ability to catch, attack closeouts, and make live-ball reads against rotating defenses has added another dimension to Detroit’s offense.

As a result, the Pistons have grown more comfortable keeping either Huerter or Duncan Robinson on the floor at all times to maintain spacing and offensive flow.

And that trust could prove critical come playoff time.