The Phoenix Suns edged the Detroit Pistons 125-121 on Saturday night, led by Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, who combined for 71 points. Durant erupted for 36 points, scoring 30 in the second half, while Booker poured in 35, marking his fifth consecutive 30-point outing.

Phoenix improved to 21-20 on the season, winning for the fifth time in six games. Detroit dropped to 21-21, suffering its second consecutive loss after winning 10 of its previous 12 games.

Center Nick Richards made a significant impact in his Suns debut, contributing 21 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. Acquired via trade with Charlotte earlier in the week, Richards showcased his potential as the interior presence Phoenix has been seeking.

Rookie Ryan Dunn added 12 points and eight rebounds for the Suns, while Grayson Allen chipped in seven points and three assists. Phoenix shot 50% from the field, including 80% from the free-throw line, converting 32 of 40 attempts.

Tobias Harris led the Pistons with 21 points, shooting an efficient 9-for-15 from the field. Cade Cunningham added 20 points and 11 assists but struggled with his shot, going 7-for-26. Jalen Duren tallied 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Malik Beasley contributed 14 points off the bench.

The Suns controlled the game early, leading by as many as 14 points in the second quarter. However, Detroit mounted a comeback in the third quarter, fueled by Cunningham’s playmaking and Duren’s presence inside. The Pistons cut the deficit to just one point, but Phoenix held its ground in the final minutes.

Durant, who started the game 1-for-9 from the field, found his rhythm after halftime, hitting 12 of 18 attempts. His dominant performance in crunch time helped the Suns fend off Detroit’s late rally. Booker’s consistency at the free-throw line, where he went 12-for-13, also proved critical in securing the victory.

Richards’ efforts, along with those of the bench unit, offset the absence of key players like Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic, who were sidelined due to injuries.

Detroit’s reserves, led by Marcus Sasser’s 11 points, struggled to match the efficiency of Phoenix’s bench. The Pistons shot just 27.3% from beyond the arc and 66.7% from the free-throw line, missing critical opportunities to close the gap in the fourth quarter.

Despite the loss, Detroit showed resilience, with Harris and Cunningham leading the charge. Ron Holland II added nine points, including two three-pointers, in a promising performance.