The No. 1-seeded Detroit Pistons trail the No. 8-seeded Orlando Magic 3-1 in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Pistons center Jalen Duren has struggled throughout the series, and his ex-girlfriend, WNBA star Angel Reese, is now dating Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. On Monday night, Reese threw some shade at Duren on social media after Orlando won Game 4.
Angel Reese Throws Shade at Ex-Boyfriend Jalen Duren
Duren totaled 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 turnovers in the 94-88 loss to Orlando. He has struggled mightily in this series, averaging just 9.8 points and 8.3 rebounds, while shooting 46.9% from the field (after posting 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds on 65.0% shooting during the regular season).
Carter’s defense has limited Duren’s impact throughout the series, and it’s possible that Duren’s struggles have cost him significant money since he will be a restricted free agent after this season.
As if getting outplayed by Reese’s new boyfriend wasn’t enough, Jamal Cain threw down a ferocious one-handed dunk over Duren with over eight minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Orlando’s Jamal Cain with the best dunk of the NBA playoffs so far pic.twitter.com/mVD2p03WFM
— Inside Hoops | NBA Playoffs (@InsideHoops) April 28, 2026
This play gave Reese the perfect opportunity to troll Duren. She took to Instagram to reshare the Magic’s video of Cain dunking over Duren alongside the final score.
The NBA world had a field day reacting to Reese’s pettiness.
“I cannot imagine the unfathomable pain that is losing money and a playoff series to your ex’s new boyfriend while she flaunts it on social media every night,” one NBA influencer wrote. “…SHE POSTED THIS MAN GETTNG DUNKED ON. He cannot let this slide bro.”
Duren became a first-time NBA All-Star this season and was a finalist for the 2025-26 Most Improved Player award (which Nickeil Alexander-Walker ultimately won), but then it all went downhill over the last two weeks.
“Jalen Duren is going through an all-time disaster class of a playoff run,” one NBA observer said.
One NBA commentator acknowledged Duren’s struggles but disapproved of Reese’s post: “Duren going out sad but this is really corny from Angel, [not gonna lie].”
Another user took a different approach to the situation, arguing that Carter should be frustrated with Reese for still thinking about Duren.
“I mean they’re both multimillionaires so they prolly don’t care much. I’d be more annoyed if I was Wendell than Duren lol. Why she keep posting her ex 💀,” he stated.
I mean they’re both multimillionaires so they prolly don’t care much.
I’d be more annoyed if I was Wendell than Duren lol. Why she keep posting her ex 💀
— Mikey CoinSnatch  (@MikeyCoinSnatch) April 28, 2026
NBA podcaster Banksy agreed with this sentiment.
“Tbh he won cuz she supposedly moved on, and he still clearly on her mind. But she getting the reacts on social I guess,” he wrote.
Tbh he won cuz she supposedly moved on and he still clearly on her mind
But she getting the reacts on social I guess https://t.co/aimVGuWpL4
— Eddie Gonzalez (@bansky) April 28, 2026
Duren and the Pistons are still alive, but they are now facing elimination entering Wednesday’s Game 5 and face an uphill battle after falling behind 3-1.
