Duren's first career 20-20 game leads the Pistons to a lopsided win over Thunder, 120-104

Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren is hugged by guard Monte Morris after the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

DETROIT (AP) — Jalen Duren had 22 points and a career-high 21 rebounds and the Detroit Pistons ended the Oklahoma City Thunder’s five-game winning streak with a 120-104 victory on Sunday.

“I just think our guys care,” Pistons coach Monty Williams said of Detroit’s best win of the season. “We had every reason to make excuses — a back-to-back against the best team in the West — and our guys just competed.”

Thunder Pistons Basketball

Duren’s performance included a career-high nine of Detroit’s 15 offensive rebounds. It was the Pistons’ first 20-20 game since Andre Drummond on Jan. 31, 2020.

“I also had six assists,” Duren pointed out to the media. “I knew 20 and 20 was bound to happen for me at some point. The game is slowing down for me tremendously.”

Jaden Ivey added 19 points for the Pistons, who played without leading scorer Cade Cunningham, who was a late scratch for what the team termed “injury management.” Cunningham returned from a knee injury on Saturday.

Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

“We felt like, on a back-to-back, if there was any level of concern, we didn’t feel good putting him out there,” Williams said.

Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) is defended by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 31 points and Jalen Williams added 20.

Detroit led 81-67 early in the third quarter, but Gilgeous-Alexander scored the next seven points. The Thunder got as close as 90-86 before Ivey hit back-to-back jumpers to start a 10-0 run.

“I thought it was an energy thing in both directions,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “They played with great energy — beat us to balls, played with intensity — and as the game wore on, we couldn’t drum up that same energy. They obviously deserved to win today.”

The Pistons led 100-87 going into the fourth and kept hitting 3-pointers at key moments down the stretch. The 16-point win matches their biggest margin of a 6-40 season.

“That’s a great playoff team, but we showed a lot of resiliency all game,” Ivey said. “That’s what we need to bring every night.”

Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort didn’t play in the fourth quarter, while Chet Holmgren played only 2:08.

Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren is greeted by Detroit Pistons forward Joe Harris, center, and guard Cade Cunningham, left, after the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

“There’s always a balance,” Daigneault said. “If I thought we had a chance to get back into the game, I would have obviously put them in, but with the way the game was going, I just didn’t feel it. With the schedule we have had and the schedule we have coming out of here, I thought it was the wise move.”

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) attempts a layup as Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

The Thunder shot 56.5% from the floor in the first half but still trailed 70-61 at intermission. The Pistons had a 9-2 edge in offensive rebounds and committed only one turnover.

Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) towers over Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

UP NEXT

Thunder: Host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday.

Pistons: At the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander brings the ball up court during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons, Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) loses control of the ball next to Detroit Pistons center Mike Muscala (41) and guard Jaden Ivey (23) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) looks to pass as Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (23) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Thunder Pistons Basketball

Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) reacts after a dunk during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) attempts a layup as Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)