Pistons Clinch First Division Title in 18 Years

Jalen Duren's 31 points and 9 rebounds lead Detroit to victory over Toronto

Apr. 1, 2026 at 2:52am

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The Detroit Pistons defeated the Toronto Raptors 127-116 on Tuesday night to clinch the Central Division title, their first division championship in 18 years. Jalen Duren led the way for the Pistons with 31 points and 9 rebounds, continuing his strong play in the absence of injured star Cade Cunningham.

Why it matters

The Pistons' division title is a significant milestone for the franchise, which has struggled to find success in recent years. Duren's emergence as a dominant force in Cunningham's absence has been a bright spot and could signal a promising future for the team.

The details

Jalen Duren has been instrumental in leading the Pistons during Cade Cunningham's absence due to a lung injury. Over the past 7 games, Duren is averaging 23.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, helping the Pistons to a 6-2 record without their star player.

  • The Pistons clinched the Central Division title on Tuesday, April 1, 2026.
  • Cade Cunningham sustained a lung injury on March 17, 2026 in a 130-117 win over the Washington Wizards.

The players

Jalen Duren

A 22-year-old power forward for the Detroit Pistons who has stepped up in a big way during Cade Cunningham's absence, averaging over 23 points and 10 rebounds per game.

Cade Cunningham

The star player for the Detroit Pistons who sustained a lung injury on March 17, 2026, sidelining him for several games.

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What they’re saying

“Jalen has really stepped up and carried us these past few weeks. He's been a dominant force on both ends of the floor.”

— Dwane Casey, Head Coach, Detroit Pistons

What’s next

The Pistons will look to continue their strong play and secure a high playoff seed in the Eastern Conference as the regular season winds down.

The takeaway

The Pistons' division title is a testament to the team's resilience and the emergence of young stars like Jalen Duren, who have stepped up in the absence of their injured leader Cade Cunningham. This could be the start of a new era of success for the franchise.