Pistons Rally Late to Edge Suns Behind Balanced Attack, Despite Cunningham’s Struggles
Detroit - After a four-day layoff, the Detroit Pistons came out looking like a team still shaking off the rust. They fell behind early, trailing by as many as 16 midway through the second quarter against a Phoenix Suns squad that wasted no time taking advantage. But what started as a sluggish night turned into a gritty comeback, as Detroit clawed its way back to pull off a 108-105 win at Little Caesars Arena.
This one wasn’t about a single star performance - it was a collective effort that got the job done.
Duncan Robinson led the charge with 19 points on an efficient 7-of-12 shooting night. His ability to find his rhythm and knock down timely shots helped stabilize the offense when things looked shaky early on. Robinson’s spacing and movement without the ball opened up lanes and gave Detroit some much-needed offensive flow in the second half.
Jalen Duren continues to be a force in the paint. The big man notched his 19th double-double of the season, finishing with 16 points and a game-high 18 rebounds.
He was a constant presence on the glass, cleaning up misses and giving the Pistons second-chance opportunities that proved critical down the stretch. His interior toughness helped tilt the momentum back in Detroit’s favor after Phoenix had dominated the early going.
Off the bench, Jaden Ivey delivered what might be his most impactful performance of the season. In just 17 minutes, he poured in 15 points, giving Detroit a much-needed jolt of energy and scoring punch. His burst off the dribble and ability to finish in traffic gave the Suns’ second unit problems, and his minutes were a big reason the Pistons stayed within striking distance before mounting their comeback.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing, though. Cade Cunningham, returning from a two-game absence, had a night to forget when it came to scoring.
He shot just 3-of-16 from the field, missed all seven of his three-point attempts, and went 4-of-9 from the line, finishing with 10 points and five turnovers. But Cunningham found other ways to contribute.
His 11 assists helped keep the offense moving, and even on an off night, his court vision and ability to set up teammates made a noticeable impact.
On the other side, Grayson Allen came out firing for Phoenix. He dropped 21 of his 33 points in the first half, torching Detroit’s defense with a mix of catch-and-shoot threes and aggressive drives. Allen’s scoring helped the Suns build their early lead, and he remained a threat all night.
Dillon Brooks, in the midst of a career-best scoring season, added 16 points for the Suns before fouling out late in the fourth quarter. His physicality and two-way presence were felt throughout, but his absence in the final minutes left Phoenix without one of its key closers.
In the end, it was Detroit’s resilience that stood out. They weathered a rough start, leaned on their depth, and found just enough offense to outlast a Suns team that came in with plenty of firepower. For a young squad still learning how to win close games, this was another step forward - a win built on hustle, balance, and a refusal to fold.