Steve Kerr
Getty
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr during a game against the Houston Rockets in November 2025
The Golden State Warriors could receive a timely boost ahead of Friday’s matchup against the Detroit Pistons, as Jalen Duren is listed as questionable with right ankle soreness.
Duren’s status comes on the second night of a back-to-back for Detroit, raising the possibility that the Pistons could opt for a precautionary approach with one of their most productive interior players.
For a Warriors team searching for stability amid a difficult stretch, that potential absence could prove significant.
Warriors Reeling Amid Injury-Plagued Stretch
Golden State enters Friday’s contest struggling to find a rhythm.
The Warriors are coming off a 120-99 blowout loss to the Boston Celtics, marking their sixth loss in the past seven games. Since Stephen Curry went down with a knee injury, the team has gone just 6-13, slipping to 33-36 on the season and holding onto the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference.
With the regular season winding down, head coach Steve Kerr acknowledged the team’s shifting outlook.
“We’ve had our eyes on six for a while,” Kerr told reporters. “That’s out of the question now. We’re not getting there. If we can string together some wins, try to get to eighth, that’d be ideal. Get two cracks at getting in the playoffs. But we’re not getting to seven. We know that.”
Warriors Still Without Key Contributors
Golden State remains severely shorthanded.
Curry, along with Jimmy Butler, Seth Curry, Al Horford, Moses Moody and Quinten Post, have all been ruled out.
The absences have forced Golden State to rely on a thinner rotation, making any potential advantage — including opponent injuries — even more valuable.
Pistons Already Missing Cunningham, Stewart
Isaiah Stewart, Jalen Duren, Pistons
GettyIsaiah Stewart of the Detroit Pistons reacts after a basket with Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren.
Detroit is also dealing with multiple injuries.
All-Star guard Cade Cunningham remains sidelined for at least two weeks due to a collapsed lung, removing the team’s primary offensive engine.
Meanwhile, forward Isaiah Stewart is expected to miss approximately one week due to a left calf strain, further thinning Detroit’s frontcourt depth.
If Duren is also unavailable, the Pistons would be without both of their primary interior anchors — a development that could significantly impact their ability to control the paint.
Duren’s Absence Could Open Door for Porziņģis
Warriors Kristaps Porzingis injury update vs Celtics
GettyKristaps Porzingis of the Golden State Warriors is in line for a big game in Detroit.
Duren has been a key piece in Detroit’s success this season and is coming off another productive outing, posting 24 points and 11 rebounds in Thursday’s win over the Washington Wizards.
Despite his strong showing, Duren did not appear in the fourth quarter of Thursday’s win, with head coach J.B. Bickerstaff indicating that the decision was largely precautionary with the game well in hand.
“No, Paul was rolling well and you know, we’ll take a look at Jalen and see if he’s all right, but I haven’t seen any problems yet,” Bickerstaff said postgame.
If he is held out, it could create an opportunity for Kristaps Porziņģis to capitalize inside.
Porziņģis is coming off a quiet performance in his return to Boston, finishing with just 11 points on 4-of-13 shooting against his former team. A thinner Detroit frontcourt could provide a favorable matchup for the veteran big man to bounce back offensively.
Without Duren and Stewart, Detroit’s interior defense and rebounding presence would be significantly weakened — an area Porziņģis has historically exploited with his combination of size and shooting touch.
Opportunity Emerges for Golden State
If Duren is unable to suit up, Paul Reed is expected to take on a larger role for Detroit.
Reed contributed 17 points in Thursday’s win and helped the Pistons dominate the interior, but replicating that level of control without both starting bigs could prove difficult.
For Golden State, that presents a critical opportunity.
Despite their recent struggles and injury challenges, the Warriors may benefit from facing a Detroit team that could be missing multiple key contributors on both ends of the floor.
Playoff Stakes Add Urgency
With their postseason positioning uncertain, the Warriors are focused on maximizing every remaining opportunity.
Kerr’s comments reflect a team recalibrating its goals, shifting from climbing into the top six to securing a more favorable play-in position.
Friday’s matchup, particularly if Detroit is short-handed, could represent a pivotal chance to halt their slide and regain momentum.
In a season shaped by injuries and inconsistency, availability — once again — may decide the outcome.