Cade Cunningham led the Detroit Pistons to a 133-125 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night, scoring 28 points and dishing out 13 assists. Jalen Duren contributed 17 points and 11 rebounds in a strong performance by the Pistons. Detroit maintained control for most of the game, establishing an early lead they never relinquished.
The Suns mounted a late comeback attempt, narrowing the deficit to 122-119 with 2:26 remaining after Kevin Durant sank a pair of free throws. However, Malik Beasley’s clutch corner 3-pointer halted Phoenix’s momentum. Durant excelled for the Suns with a season-high 43 points on 14-of-26 shooting, including a perfect 11-for-11 from the free-throw line. Bradley Beal also chipped in 26 points, but Phoenix struggled to overcome their 19 turnovers.
Detroit showcased their balanced offensive attack with seven players reaching double figures in scoring. Jaden Ivey contributed 20 points, Beasley added 18, and Tim Hardaway Jr. put up 16 points. The Pistons established a commanding 41-26 lead by the end of the first quarter, capitalizing on seven Suns turnovers. Phoenix managed to trim the deficit to 64-59 by halftime.
The Suns were without four-time All-Star guard Devin Booker, who sat out due to left groin soreness, in their first game of the season. Detroit’s aggressive defense posed challenges for Phoenix throughout the game, as the Pistons have now secured victories in three of their last five matches. Conversely, the Suns have struggled recently, losing 12 of their last 18 games following their 8-1 start to the season. Turnovers plagued Phoenix in Saturday’s contest, overshadowing their solid shooting performance.
In a critical moment late in the game, Cunningham drained a pivotal 3-pointer with 33.8 seconds remaining, extending the Pistons’ lead to seven points. Despite shooting nearly 62% from the field through the first three quarters, the Suns found themselves trailing 103-94 primarily due to turnovers and defensive lapses.
Looking ahead, the Pistons will face the Los Angeles Lakers, while the Suns are set to take on the Denver Nuggets on Monday.
