Phoenix Suns can’t make the most of Durant’s season-high 43, fall to Detroit Pistons

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns fell to the Detroit Pistons 133-125 on Saturday night, dropping their second straight game to end a four-game homestand.

The Suns are now 14-13 on the year, while Detroit improved to 12-17.

This was Phoenix’s first game all season without Devin Booker (left groin soreness), who was ruled out for at least two games earlier today.

Despite Kevin Durant having a season-high 43 points (14-26 FG) to go along with six assists and five rebounds after a 37-point outing in Phoenix’s loss to the Pacers on Thursday, Phoenix continued its trend of struggling against young, athletic teams, coughed up the ball 19 times, leading to 34 Detroit points.

Both teams shot exceptionally well with the Suns making 45-of-78 (57.7%) field goals and 14-of-29 (48.3%) 3-point shots. Detroit made 49-of-89 (55.1%) of its shots and was 19-for-39 (48.7%) from downtown.

Seven Pistons were in double figures with Cade Cunningham recording a team-high 28 points and 13 assists.

Bradley Beal recorded 26 points (11-20 FG), six rebounds and five assists for Phoenix. Tyus Jones continued his efficient play with 19 points on 7-of-8 shooting. Royce O’Neale (11 points, two steals) and Jusuf Nurkić (10 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals) were also in double figures.

Detroit went on an early 10-0 run in the first quarter and built momentum from that into a big 41-26 lead heading into the second. Boos rained down from the Suns crowd as Detroit shot 17-for-27 (63%) from the floor in the quarter and 6-for-10 from three, led by 10 points apiece from Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren. Durant had 11 points (4-6 FG) for Phoenix as the Suns turned the ball over seven times in the quarter, leading to a staggering 16 Detroit points.

The Suns cut the Pistons’ lead to 64-59 at halftime, despite 11 turnovers in the half that turned into 22 Detroit points. Phoenix shot an excellent 21-for-35 (60%), and Beal scored 12 points in the quarter alone, while Durant paced the Suns with 16 in the half. Tim Hardaway Jr. (13 points) joined Duren and Ivey in double figures in the first half for Detroit.

Durant (13), Beal (10) and Jones (8) combined for 33 of the Suns’ 35 points in the third quarter, but Phoenix’s defense continued to struggle, giving up 39 points in the period to Detroit. The Pistons held a 103-94 advantage in the fourth quarter after shooting both 64% from the field and downtown in the third. Grayson Allen went back to the locker room and did not return with 2:10 left in the quarter after taking an elbow to the head.

Phoenix continued to fight in the fourth quarter with Durant leading the way, but the shots couldn’t stop going in for Detroit either. The Suns trailed by as few as three points with 2:26 left, but the Pistons wouldn’t let them come all the way back as Cunningham had 13 points in the quarter and hit a dagger 3-pointer to put Detroit ahead 130-123 with 33 seconds left.

The Suns make a quick trip to Denver on Monday night to battle the Nuggets and return home for a Christmas Day game against Denver.