Pistons' Jalen Duren praises teammate Ausar Thompson's defense

Duren says Thompson is a lock for Defensive Player of the Year award

Mar. 29, 2026 at 4:33pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fractured movements and energy of a basketball defensive play, with sharp, overlapping shapes and lines in a vibrant color palette representing the player's defensive intensity.Ausar Thompson's relentless defensive hustle and instincts have made him a leading candidate for the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award.New Orleans Today

Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren heaped praise on his teammate Ausar Thompson, saying the young forward is the clear frontrunner for the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award. Duren highlighted Thompson's elite perimeter defense and ability to shut down opposing ball-handlers, calling him "Superman" for his consistent defensive dominance.

Why it matters

Thompson's defensive prowess has been a key factor in the Pistons' resurgence this season, as the team looks to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2019. His All-Defensive Team selection is all but assured, and a DPOY award would further cement his reputation as one of the league's premier two-way players.

The details

In a 129-108 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on March 26, Duren praised Thompson's ability to "harass guys and get through screens" on the defensive end, saying he does it "so effortlessly night-to-night." Duren noted that Thompson's defensive dominance has become the norm for the Pistons, to the point where any lapse in his play stands out.

  • The Pistons defeated the Pelicans on March 26, 2026.

The players

Jalen Duren

A center for the Detroit Pistons who has played alongside Ausar Thompson this season.

Ausar Thompson

A forward for the Detroit Pistons who has emerged as one of the NBA's elite defensive players this season.

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What they’re saying

“He's Defensive Player of the Year for sure. What he does to ball-handlers, harassing guys and getting through screens, is unreal. He does it so effortlessly night-to-night that it's kind of like you get used to it.”

— Jalen Duren, Pistons center

What’s next

The Pistons will continue their push for a playoff spot, with Thompson's defensive prowess expected to be a key factor in their success down the stretch.

The takeaway

Ausar Thompson's elite defensive abilities have made him a frontrunner for the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award, as his teammate Jalen Duren has attested. Thompson's consistent dominance on that end of the floor has been a driving force behind the Pistons' resurgence this season.