Jalen Duren, Cade Cunningham and J.B. Bickerstaff Lead Pistons’ All-Star Presence in New Format
Detroit's surge has produced three All-Star selections: center Jalen Duren, guard Cade Cunningham and head coach J. B. Bickerstaff. The Pistons enter the midseason showcase with the league's best winning percentage and a fresh three-team All-Star format awaiting in Inglewood, California.
Bickerstaff’s milestone: family legacy and resilience
J. B. Bickerstaff will serve as a head coach in the NBA All-Star Game for the first time, a milestone he framed as both personal and generational. He noted the significance of stepping into a role his father once knew only as an assistant, and used the moment to emphasize perseverance — navigating a coaching path that included interim gigs and long stretches without playoff experience.
His ascent follows Detroit locking in the Eastern Conference’s top record through Feb. 1, securing the 2026 All-Star coaching honor. Bickerstaff called the opportunity “awesome, ” and highlighted the ripple effects on assistant coaches, staff and families. He pointed to resilience, consistent attitude and treating people well as hallmarks that helped carry him from rebuilding seasons to coaching a legitimate contender.
Jalen Duren’s breakout season and All-Star selection
Center Jalen Duren earned his first All-Star nod after a season that transformed him from a traditional lob threat into a more complete offensive and defensive presence. Duren’s scoring average climbed to a career-best 17. 7 points across 44 games, and he has expanded his range and efficiency inside the arc — shooting over 50% on attempts from five to nine feet. Those developments, coupled with improved rim protection and perimeter contesting, made him a two-way asset the Pistons leaned on heavily.
Duren’s role in Detroit’s offense has grown beyond finishing at the rim. With a usage rate near 22. 1%, he functions as a secondary creator at times, generating hockey assists and facilitating ball movement that frees shooters and playmakers. He celebrated the selection as a team achievement, praising teammates and coaches for their support while acknowledging how far the group has come together.
All-Star day: format, timing and what to watch
This year’s All-Star event debuts a round-robin tournament featuring two U. S. -born teams and one international team. The three teams will play 12-minute games in a condensed, competition-first setup; the top two teams by record after the round robin will meet for the championship, with point differential serving as the tiebreaker if necessary.
Team Stars, featuring the Pistons trio, will take the floor in the first game of the day, beginning just after 5 p. m. ET. Fans will be watching both individual showcases and how quickly coaches adapt to the short-game format — an environment in which rotations, matchups and short bursts of team offense matter more than ever.
For Detroit, the All-Star break represents both recognition and a checkpoint. The Pistons entered the hiatus sitting 40-13, the best record in the Eastern Conference, and will return with expectations heightened. How Duren’s continued development meshes with Cade Cunningham’s playmaking and Bickerstaff’s leadership will shape Detroit’s path as it aims to turn a standout regular season into deeper postseason traction.
As the league celebrates its 75th season with the new All-Star structure, Detroit’s trio will be a focal point — a snapshot of a franchise that went from rebuilding to contender in a single season, powered by player growth and a coach whose story resonates beyond the win column.
