The Detroit Pistons have received encouraging injury news on Ausar Thompson and Isaiah Joe ahead of their road game against the New York Knicks on October 27. Both key players participated in the morning shootaround. The team, however, will be without starting center Jalen Duren as they look to extend their perfect 3-0 start to the 2026-27 NBA season.
Ausar Thompson, dealing with a right ankle sprain, and Isaiah Joe, managing a right hip contusion, were both active at the Pistons' shootaround at Madison Square Garden. This is a positive development, especially for Thompson, who missed the team's last game. For their win over the Philadelphia 76ers on October 25, a 106-93 victory, Thompson did not participate in shootaround and was ultimately ruled out. His presence on the court today is a strong indicator he could suit up. Joe has played in every game so far but picked up his injury in that same win against the 76ers. His ability to get shots up is a good sign for his status. Having both players would be a major boost for Detroit's perimeter defense and three-point shooting.
Jalen Duren will miss the contest with a right hamstring strain. He suffered the injury in the first half of Detroit's 128-111 win over the Miami Heat on October 23. The star center, who signed a five-year, $200 million extension this offseason, went straight to the locker room and did not return. The team announced he would be re-evaluated in two weeks, and he remains listed as out on the official injury report. His absence creates a significant void in the Pistons' interior scoring, rebounding, and paint protection.
Detroit has opened the campaign with three consecutive wins, establishing themselves as an early surprise in the Eastern Conference. Their recent form reads 3W-0L, with victories over the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, and Philadelphia 76ers. They kicked off the year with a 121-113 home win against the Celtics on October 20. They followed that with the 17-point road win in Miami before returning home to handle the 76ers. This unbeaten run has them atop the conference standings, though it's very early. The team's offensive efficiency, particularly from beyond the arc, has been a driving force behind the hot start.
The immediate focus is the matchup with the defending champion New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. It's a major early-season test for this young Pistons squad. A win would not only push their record to 4-0 but also serve as a statement against elite competition. The potential returns of Thompson and Joe would provide critical depth. Managing Duren's recovery and maintaining this level of play without him will be the next big challenge for head coach Monty Williams and his staff. The team's early success has built excitement, but the long NBA season is just beginning.
