DETROIT — Kevin Durant showcased an impressive performance, netting 30 of his total 36 points in the latter half of the game, leading the Phoenix Suns to a narrow victory over the Detroit Pistons, 125-121, on Saturday.
Devin Booker also shined for the Suns, contributing 35 points, marking his fifth consecutive game scoring over 30 points, as the team secured their fifth win in the last six outings.
In a notable debut, center Nick Richards, acquired from Charlotte just days ago, made a significant impact, finishing with 21 points and 11 rebounds coming off the bench. Ryan Dunn supported the effort with 12 points and eight rebounds.
For the Pistons, Tobias Harris was the top scorer with 21 points, while Cade Cunningham recorded 20 points alongside 11 assists, despite having a challenging shooting night at 7 for 26 from the field. Jalen Duren contributed with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds. Malik Beasley added 14 points, while both Tim Hardaway Jr. and Marcus Sasser chipped in with 11 points each.
Key takeaways from the game include the potential role of Richards as the interior presence that the Suns have been searching for to enhance their lineup balance; many anticipate his soon transition into the starting position.
On the other hand, the Pistons have hit a rough patch, losing two consecutive games after a solid run of 10 wins in their previous 12 matches.
A pivotal moment in the match occurred when Grayson Allen secured an offensive rebound with the Suns holding onto a slim two-point lead. Durant took advantage of this opportunity, scoring with a fadeaway jumper just over a minute left on the clock.
A notable statistic for Durant was his performance across two halves; he struggled offensively in the first half with only one successful shot out of nine attempts but rebounded significantly by making 12 of his 18 attempts after halftime.
Looking ahead, the Suns will continue their five-game road trip against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday, while the Pistons are set to embark on a five-game journey of their own as they face the Houston Rockets on the same day.
