Jalen Duren: How Wizards 'Fueled the Fire' vs Detroit Pistons

The first matchup of a two-game set against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night included a high-intensity battle for Jalen Duren and the Detroit Pistons.

All season long, the Pistons have established themselves as one of the NBA’s most fearless squads, playing a high level of physical defense and not backing down from chippy moments.

Tuesday’s game in Detroit, Michigan, was just another example of that.

All incidents from Pistons/Wizards tonight #detroitbasketball pic.twitter.com/IlVMPr4lCP
— Downtown Deuce (@DowntownDeuce) March 12, 2025

By halftime, the Pistons-Wizards matchup had four technical fouls. Going into the locker room for a breather, Duren acknowledged the chippiness throughout the game, making it clear that the Pistons enjoyed taking it head-on as they looked to take care of business against a struggling Wizards team.

“We love it,” Duren told FanDuel Sports Detroit at halftime on Tuesday. “I love it. That’s what we do. That’s what we are built for. I think we play better when that happens. Most teams don’t know how to play with that type of energy and intensity. I think that just turns us up.”

The Pistons continued rolling during the second half of Tuesday’s game. Clearly, both sides remained in a state of frustration as techs and flagrants racked up in the second half. However, one team kept their head just cool enough to remain focused and come out on top with a dominant win.

“I think any game where we get into a ‘scuffle’ or a little pushing match, it just fuels the fire because we’re a team who likes to play with emotion,” Duren told reporters after the game.

Jalen Duren on playing with chippiness

“I think any game where we get Into a scuffle or a little pushing match it just fuel the fire. We are a team that plays with emotion. You know when JB get fired up and he gets a tech it’s fun to play under. It’s not fun when the game is… pic.twitter.com/sYNNTfNTlH
— Pistons Talk (@Pistons__Talk) March 12, 2025

“We can play with emotion. When JB [Bickerstaff] gets fired up, and he gets a tech, it’s fun to play under. It’s basketball; it’s not fun when the game is quiet, the crowd is quiet, and everybody is going through the motions. I think we thrive in those settings.”

Duren was one of five to get a technical foul on Tuesday night. He was involved in an early scuffle after seeing his All-Star teammate, Cade Cunningham, get pushed. For the Pistons, Isaiah Stewart and JB Bickerstaff were the other two to land one.

Jalen Duren, Khris Middleto — Mar 11, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton (32) has words with Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) during the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images | David Reginek-Imagn Images

As for Washington, Khris Middleton and Marcus Smart were hit with techs. Smart also landed a flagrant one foul call in the fourth right after Richaun Holmes landed a flagrant two, resulting in a late-game ejection.

The Wizards attempted to beat the Pistons with physicality. They ended up finding themselves on the wrong end of a 20-point deficit.

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