After the Orlando Magic stunned the Detroit Pistons, many across the NBA world questioned Detroitâs threat level as the No. 1 team in the NBA Playoffs on the Eastern Conference side.
The NBA legend Paul Pierce took a notable shot at the teamâs talent ahead of Game 2, which is set to take place on Wednesday, April 22.
âAfter Cade Cunningham, whoâs their second-best player?â Pierce asked on No Fouls Given.
âDuren, whoâs an All-Star, if heâs your second-best player, why is he only getting four shots in the first game of the playoffs? Like whatâs going on? Is that a player thing or is that a coaching thing? How does he have four shots and make three he was 75% from the field? Is that a coaching thing or a player thing?â
GettyWASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 17: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons controls the ball against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on March 17, 2026 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
The Magic put together an impressive game plan for Duren. They limited him to just eight points and forced three turnovers from the starting center
After the Game 1 loss, Cade Cunningham revealed what had to be done in order to help Duren bounce back for Game 2 and beyond.
â[We need to] just give him space,â Cunningham told reporters following the loss.
âMake sure that Iâm giving him good passes. There were a couple of times when I felt like I had himâdidnât give him clean passes. Same with [Isaiah Stewart], thatâs what they do is pack the paint. We just have to make sure that weâre spacing properly, making crisp passes, and if theyâre packing the paint, make sure weâre making plays on the backside.â
Paul Pierce Questions Pistons Leadership
GettyMIAMI, FL – JUNE 05: Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics reacts after he made a 3-point basket in the final minute of the fourt quarter to give the Celtics a 90-86 lead against the Miami Heat in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2012 NBA Playoffs on June 5, 2012 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
âYou looking up and you see Jalen Duren got two points and itâs the third quarter, youâre not going to say nothing in the timeout? Like, Iâm going to be like, hold on, dog, this dude averages 20 and 10,â Pierce said.
âWhat are we doing, fellas? Me, as the best player would do that. Like we need to get him the ball. Itâs his night. Like, come on, dog. Letâs do something better than that. Like, where is the IQ outside of the coaching staff within the players? So, now if youâre the No. 1 seed that questions leadership. Where is the leadership coming from in the Pistons locker room?â
Rarely did the Pistons face these sorts of questions throughout the 2025-2026 NBA season. For a team on the younger side, the Pistons have surprisingly been praised for their maturity and motivated mindset when they hit adversity.
A great example would be the stretch when Cade Cunningham was out. After the two-time All-Star suffered a collapsed lung late into the season, the Pistons continued to churn out wins at a high rate to ensure they secured the No. 1 seed.
As bad as Game 1 was for Detroit, they are still in a fine position to take the series. How they respond in Game 2 will truly determine if they are in a good position to fight for a title or not.
If the Pistons can make the necessary adjustments and bounce back, then the questions aimed at them will lose weight. If the Magic steal another one on the road, Detroit will face even more questions going into Game 3.
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