Takeaways from Suns defeated 133-125 by Pistons despite giant game by Kevin Durant

Dec 21, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Tyus Jones (21) dribbles against Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (23) during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

PHOENIX – With the first look of the team without Devin Booker this season, the Phoenix Suns were unable to recover from a horrid first quarter and lost 133-125 to the Detroit Pistons.

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In a losing effort, Kevin Durant was still able to lead all players in scoring with 43 points for the Suns (14-13). Bradley Beal had 26 points and Tyus Jones tacked on 19 in Phoenix’s second straight loss.

Setting the tone from start to finish, Cade Cunningham (28 points, 13 assists) and Jalen Duren (17 points, 11 rebounds) both clinched double-doubles for the Pistons (12-17).

Here are the key takeaways from the Suns defeat:

-Booker (left groin soreness) was sidelined, leaving the Suns with Durant and Beal as the two superstars active on the team. Booker exited the game in the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers on Thursday.

-Suns fan-favorite Bol Bol (left knee contusion) was ruled out for his first game of the year despite being underutilized and playing in just seven games. The 7-foot-3 big man has only averaged 5.3 minutes per game.

– Responding to the team trailing 28-13 in the first quarter, a loud boo from the fans loudly erupted when the Suns took a timeout with 3:51 left.

-With Booker out, Durant was the player who forced and attacked the most 1-on-1 with the ball in his hands. Shooting 14-for-26 (53.9%) from the field and 4-for-9 (44.4%) from beyond the arch, Durant scored 37 or more points in back-to-back games.

-Getting off on the right foot, the Pistons pushed the pace and tempo, making it look easy vs. the Suns. Duren, Jaden Ivey and Tim Hardaway Jr. combined for 29 of the Pistons’ 41 points in the first eight minutes.

-Plaguing the Suns for a majority of the season, the turnover number has been extremely high and that didn’t change against Detroit. Having a challenging time when in possession, Phoenix gave the ball away 19 times – including eight by Durant – and allowed 31 points off of them.

-Phoenix did shoot 45-for-78 (57.7%) from the field and 14-for-29 (48.3%) from deep, but the Pistons showed more effort in other facets of the game and capitalized on the little mistakes the Suns were making on both ends of the floor.

-Making small improvements, Phoenix ended the first half on a better note with a 12-4 run and cut the deficit to 64-59.

-Just when the Suns thought they were coming back, the Pistons kept up with the Suns and enlarged the lead. Cunningham accomplished his double-double during the third quarter, a dangerous threat Phoenix couldn’t contain late.

-Going up for a fastbreak dunk with Cunningham behind him, Beal took a dangerous fall and looked as if he suffered an injury. Fortunately for Phoenix, he recollected himself, scored a layup a couple of plays later and posted 26 points on the night.

-Showcasing his underrated sharpshooting ability, Tyus Jones shot 7-for-8 (87.5%) from the field and 3-for-3 from deep for 19 points. In four of the past five games, Jones has reached 19-plus points.

-Defending in the paint, Simone Fontecchio collided with Grayson Allen and Allen had a hard time getting up. Attended by the Suns medical staff, he was able to get back on his feet and walked straight to the locker room. Allen scored just two points in 20 minutes.

-Both teams were going back and forth in the second half on offense, but Detroit’s damage in the first quarter was unable to be made up by the Suns. Six of the Pistons reached double-digit points, with Malik Beasley adding 18 points and Fontecchio with 10 from the bench.

-The Pistons were 49-for-89 (55.1%) from the field, 19-for-39 (48.7%) from 3 and outscored Phoenix 52-50 in the paint. Both teams tied in rebounds, 35-35.

Suns superstar Devin Booker will miss time with injury

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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers the Phoenix Suns, ASU Athletics and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini