The Detroit Pistons will be without their star big man.
Jalen Duren is out at least two weeks with a right hamstring strain, the team announced on Sunday.
The six-foot-10 centre suffered the injury in the second quarter of Friday's win over the Miami Heat.
“It's tough when you lose a guy that means as much to us as JD does,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said before Sunday's game in Philadelphia. “It's tough. Tough for him. Trying to come back and get himself situated to start the year. You miss those days. It's obviously a little bit difficult for us.”
Through two games this season, Duren is averaging 13 points, 7.5 rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block on 58.8 per cent shooting.
Duren inked a five-year, $200-million contract extension with the Pistons earlier in October after a lengthy dispute between the two sides.
The 22-year-old shined last season, averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in 70 games to earn his first all-star nod and make the all-NBA third team.
With Duren sidelined, the Pistons will likely start the undersized Paul Reed at centre. The franchise is slim in the frontcourt after the off-season trade of Isaiah Stewart.
– With files from The Associated Press
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