In Pistons coach Monty Williams’ first game back in Phoenix following his firing by the Suns, Kevin Durant scored 25 points and the Phoenix Suns defeated Detroit 116-100 on Wednesday night, despite fellow All-Star Devin Booker’s early ejection.
From 2019 to the current campaign, Williams was the Suns’ coach. He guided them to the NBA Finals in 2021. Before the game, the sold-out crowd gave him a loud applause and a video tribute.
After committing his second technical foul, Booker was removed from the game at 5:24. After disputing a foul call against him with officials, he was given his first technical. After the Pistons’ Cade Cunningham made a free throw during a later timeout, Booker was given the second one and was therefore ejected. Booker made two of his five shots for seven points in the end.
In addition, Suns coach Frank Vogel was given a technical foul for contesting Booker’s dismissal. In the game, 51 fouls were called, 31 of which were on Detroit.
Although Durant expressed surprise at Booker’s dismissal, he acknowledged that the officials’ desire to maintain control over the game stemmed from an argument between Isaiah Stewart of the Pistons and Drew Eubanks of the Suns before to the game that resulted in Stewart’s arrest for assault.
Durant responded, “Yeah it did, because he was talking to me.” “I guess what Booker said got the referee upset, but they were nervous about the situation and thought it could get worse before the game regardless. Though I understand their viewpoint, I believe the technicians moved too quickly.
In a win over Sacramento on Tuesday night, guard Bradley Beal was out due to an injury in his left hamstring. Saben Lee scored 16 points and Eric Gordon scored 13 for Phoenix. Jusuf Nurkic finished with 13 rebounds and 10 points.
With eighteen points, Simone Fontecchio led Detroit. In each team’s last game before the All-Star break, every player who suit up for that team got action.
After Booker was dismissed, the Suns led 14–13. They went on to outscore Detroit 23–12 for the remainder of the quarter and pulled away in the second half to take a 70–41 lead at the break. 35 points was their largest lead during the contest.
Pistons coach Monty Williams stated, “I knew our young guys didn’t understand what was about to happen after Devin got thrown out.” “The game changed as they became more physical, and we turned the ball over a lot, which immediately changed the momentum.”
With 12 points in the first half, Durant, who did not participate in the fourth quarter, led the Suns. Gordon scored ten points to start, and Lee added ten points as well.
In 18 minutes, Eubanks finished with six points and eight rebounds.
A few hours before the teams’ game, Stewart punched Eubanks at the arena, leading to his arrest for assault. Stewart, according to Phoenix police, was given a citation and let go. Stewart’s left ankle sprain made him ineligible for the game already.
According to Eubanks, the fight broke out as he was entering the arena for the match. He claimed that before Stewart punched him, they got into a fight and got close to each other. When security arrived, Eubanks declared he was okay for the game.
“Preserve the game initially. Many sounds are present,” Durant remarked. “It’s regrettable what took place prior to the game. Although it’s meant to be a brotherhood, I recognise that guys have interests of their own. That’s what we try not to do in this league. I hope we can put it behind us. Everyone here is in favour of Drew.
Williams enjoyed the chance to return and experience the Suns’ triumphs, even if his new team went through an NBA record-tying 28-game losing run this season.
“I consider myself fortunate to be here coaching this team after getting the chance to come (to Phoenix), the relationship I had with the players, especially Devin,” Williams remarked prior to kickoff. “Everything that took place here was enjoyable.”
