Kevin Durant exploded for 30 of his 36 points in the second half, while Devin Booker contributed 35 points to lead the Phoenix Suns to a hard-fought 125-121 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday.
The win marked Phoenix’s fifth victory in six games, with Booker notching his fifth consecutive 30-point performance.
Nick Richards, recently acquired in a trade with Charlotte, provided a spark off the bench for the Suns with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Ryan Dunn added 12 points and eight boards to round out the Suns’ supporting cast.
For the Pistons, Tobias Harris led the way with 21 points, while Cade Cunningham delivered a double-double of 20 points and 11 assists.
Jalen Duren also recorded a double-double, contributing 15 points and 10 rebounds. Malik Beasley scored 14 points, with Tim Hardaway Jr. and Marcus Sasser chipping in 12 and 11 points, respectively.
The game was a back-and-forth battle, with Detroit holding a slim 61-60 lead at halftime. Booker scored 23 points in the first half to keep Phoenix within striking distance.
Despite Durant’s early struggles, shooting just 1-for-9 in the first half, the Suns leaned on Richards’ efficient second-quarter performance, where he scored 10 points on perfect shooting.
Durant found his rhythm in the third quarter, scoring 21 points to help the Suns erase a deficit and take a 98-95 lead heading into the fourth.
Detroit regained a 109-106 lead in the final quarter after a Malik Beasley steal and layup. However, Phoenix quickly responded, with Richards’ putback and dunk giving them the edge.
Durant’s clutch 3-pointer extended the Suns’ lead to 117-113, and Booker’s drive to the basket made it 119-115 with just over two minutes remaining.
After an offensive rebound from Grayson Allen, Durant sealed the game with a midrange jumper, giving Phoenix a 121-117 lead with just over a minute to play.
The Pistons missed key free throws in the final seconds, allowing the Suns to hold on for the victory.
Durant and Booker’s heroics, combined with strong contributions from Richards and Dunn, showcased the Suns’ depth and resilience as they continue their impressive run in the NBA season.
