On Tuesday night at Little Caesars Arena, the Detroit Pistons turned a slow start into a 108‑105 victory over the Phoenix Suns. A decisive three‑pointer from Jaden Ivey in the final seconds sealed the win, snapping Detroit’s three‑game skid and keeping the Pistons within reach of the Eastern Conference playoff bubble.
Game Recap
The Suns entered as three‑point favorites, opening the scoring with Devin Booker’s early three and Kevin Durant feeding Deandre Ayton for easy baskets. By the end of the first quarter the Suns led 30‑24.
Detroit responded in the second quarter, driven by Cade Cunningham’s double‑double (12 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists) and a defensive surge that forced 12 turnovers. A 14‑0 run in the third, highlighted by alley‑oop dunks from Isaiah Jackson, gave the Pistons a 68‑66 edge.
Booker answered with an 18‑point quarter, and Phoenix reclaimed a 92‑89 lead with under five minutes remaining. Veteran Hamidou Diallo then hit a go‑ahead three at 2:03 left, putting Detroit up 103‑102. After Chris Paul missed a contested layup, Ivey grabbed the rebound and knocked down the game‑winning three as the buzzer sounded.
Key Performers
- Cade Cunningham (DET) – 24 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists. Provided paint presence and drew fouls during the pivotal third‑quarter surge.
- Jaden Ivey (DET) – 22 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists. Set the tone early and delivered the clutch three that secured the win.
- Isaiah Jackson (DET) – 13 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks. Supplied energy on both ends and anchored interior defense.
- Devin Booker (PHX) – 27 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists. Kept Phoenix competitive with a scoring burst despite shooting struggles.
- Kevin Durant (PHX) – 21 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists. Showed veteran leadership but faced difficulty against Detroit’s perimeter pressure.
Season Implications
The win lifts the Pistons to 14‑12, placing them half a game behind the Eastern Conference playoff cutoff. Coach Dwane Casey highlighted the team’s ability to finish strong, noting the development of its young leaders in tight situations.
The Suns fall to 21‑9, maintaining a firm hold on the Western Conference lead but exposing a need for more reliable three‑point shooting. General Manager James Jones is expected to explore roster options to bolster perimeter depth before the trade deadline.
Looking Ahead
Detroit heads to Boston for its next test, aiming to ride the momentum of its narrow victory. Phoenix returns home to host Portland, intent on correcting its shooting inconsistencies. The 108‑105 result exemplifies the competitiveness of the 2025‑26 NBA season, where a single three‑pointer can determine playoff positioning.