The Detroit Pistons overcame a 19-point deficit to defeat the Phoenix Suns 109-107 in their preseason opener on Monday, with newly extended center Jalen Duren sitting out.
Duren, who recently signed a five-year, $200 million extension with Detroit following lengthy negotiations, did not play after missing the start of the Pistons’ training camp.
The tensions flared early in the game as John Collins and Dillon Brooks got into an altercation in the first quarter.
Detroit trailed 68-50 at halftime and remained down 84-81 late in the third quarter before tying the game at 84-84 on a three-pointer from Daniss Jenkins with 3.9 seconds left in the period.
The Pistons then took control early in the fourth quarter. Javonte Green hit back-to-back three-pointers during a 6-0 run that put Detroit ahead 95-89 with 8:12 remaining.
Phoenix briefly rallied and tied the game at 97-97 with 4:12 left after Duop Reath made both of his free throws. Detroit answered with a series of clutch plays from its reserves, including Ebuka Okorie’s driving layup with 4:28 remaining and Isaac Jones’ basket with 3:06 to play.
Okorie finished with seven points, including the game-winning driving layup with 5.8 seconds remaining that put Detroit ahead 109-107.
Isaac Jones added seven points and four rebounds, while Ronald Holland II led the Pistons with 14 points. Javonte Green contributed six points and hit two of Detroit’s 13 three-pointers.
Duncan Robinson made an efficient debut for Detroit, scoring nine points while going 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. Collins finished with 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting, while Paul Reed added 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
Ausar Thompson also scored 10 points, along with two rebounds, two assists and three steals.
Cade Cunningham was limited to 16 minutes and recorded 10 points, two rebounds and one assist. He shot 3-of-8 from the field and 2-of-4 from three-point range.
Phoenix had built its early advantage behind its starters. Miles Bridges scored eight points in 14 minutes, while Devin Booker had 13 points and three assists in 16 minutes.
Brooks also scored 11 points, including three three-pointers, and Jalen Green added 11 points. Oso Ighodaro had three points and five rebounds.
The Suns shot 49% from the field and 40% from three-point range, compared with Detroit’s 44% overall shooting and 36% from deep. Phoenix also held a 47-35 rebounding advantage.
Despite those statistical advantages, Detroit’s second-half rally gave the Pistons their first preseason victory.
