The Detroit Pistons got revenge and handed the Phoenix Suns their first loss of the preseason with a 109-91 blowout victory in Phoenix’s preseason home opener.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!“We didn’t play that well, and they did,” Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said after the loss. “It happens.”
This game was the teams’ second-straight matchup against one another after the Suns defeated the Pistons 105-97 in a special preseason game at Michigan State Tuesday.Â
The Suns (2-1 in preseason) ruled out Devin Booker 30 minutes prior to tipoff with right ankle soreness. Phoenix’s No. 28 overall pick, Ryan Dunn, started in Booker’s place alongside Tyus Jones, Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant and Mason Plumlee.
“It’s the preseason, there’s no reason to push (his ankle),” Budenholzer said of Booker postgame. “I think he’s going to be fine.”
The Pistons (2-1) started Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Tim Hardaway Jr., Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren. This was Harris’ first game with his new team after signing with them in the offseason.
Detroit jumped out to a 40-29 lead at the end of the first quarter and did not look back. The Pistons shot 18-for-24 (67%) as a team in the quarter with Cunningham and Harris each scoring 14 on 12-of-13 shooting combined, as the Suns did not show much effort defensively. Beal got off to a hot start for Phoenix with 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting in the first quarter.
At halftime, Beal was up to 15 points, and Phoenix trailed 65-50. Jones, known for his playmaking skills, cashed in three 3-pointers on five attempts for Phoenix, who was a lowly 6-of-22 from deep as a team in the half. Plumlee showed off his touch around the rim, making all three of his shots for six points. Durant, who was active early in the first quarter, had eight points on 3-of-5 shooting in the half. Both the Suns’ rookies, Dunn and Oso Ighodaro, did not have a field goal in the first half.
For the Pistons, Harris led all scorers with 20 points (8-of-11 shooting) to go along with four rebounds and Cunningham was right behind with 18 points (7-of-11 shooting), six rebounds and five assists. Detroit shot 26-of-46 (56.5%) as a team in the half, while Phoenix was 19-of-43 (44.2%) as a team.
Unguardable. pic.twitter.com/1dLP6EI2hc
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) October 12, 2024
The Pistons kept their foot on the gas pedal at the start of the third quarter, going up 20 early in the half. Durant scored 10 points in the first seven minutes for Phoenix before subbing out with 5:06 remaining in the quarter. Right after Durant checked out, Phoenix went on a quick 7-0 run in under a minute. Even with the run, Detroit was able to sustain its lead at the end of the quarter and led 88-74 heading into the fourth.
Durant (18 points on 7-of-12 shooting) and Beal (17 points on 7-of-15 shooting) did not sub back in after the third quarter, ending their nights after 24 minutes apiece. Jones also played 24 minutes, finishing with 11 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Dunn (five points on 1-of-5 shooting from 3) and Plumlee (six points, four rebounds and four assists) were the only Suns’ starters to play in the fourth. The Pistons’ deep reserves were able to hold onto the big lead and finish the night with a 109-91 victory.
Monté Morris led Phoenix’s bench unit with eight points and three assists in 15 minutes. Ighodaro was held scoreless for the game, but did have five rebounds and three assists. Bol posted a team-high nine rebounds in 17 minutes.
Cunningham nearly had a triple-double for the Pistons, recording a game-high 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting, 12 rebounds and nine assists in 31 minutes. Harris shined in his debut with 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting and five rebounds. Ivey contributed 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting, while Isaiah Stewart chipped in 11 points and four rebounds off the bench.
Phoenix connected on 34-for-88 (38.6%) field goals as a team and was 11-for-47 (23.4%) from 3. The Pistons finished 42-for-90 (46.7%) on field goals for the night and 9-for-35 (25.7%) from long range.
Next Up
The Suns will travel to Denver to take on the Nuggets (0-2) on Sunday.
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
