5 things learned as Kevin Durant goes for season-high 41 in leading Phoenix Suns to win

DETROIT — Kevin Durant had enough of the losing.

With Devin Booker and Bradley Beal still out with injuries, Durant scored a season-high 41 points in leading the Phoenix Suns to a 120-106 win over the Detroit Pistons to snap a three-game losing skid.

Durant has been carrying the offense in averaging 28 points through his first six games this season that included two 30-point outings.

On Sunday, Durant reached the 40-point mark for the first time going for 44 in a 121-112 loss Jan. 4 to the Bulls — when he was with the Brooklyn Nets.

The Suns traded for Durant in a blockbuster deal right before last season's trade deadline that sent Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson to the Nets.

Durant had 35 points after three quarters Sunday as he scored Phoenix’s final six points of the third and had an assist on Jordan Goodwin’s 3 that put the Suns up 13 with 1:49 left.

He scored 24 points on the second half on 8-of-11 shooting. The Suns lead by as many as 21 in the second of a back-to-back after losing Saturday at Philadelphia, 112-100.

Eric Gordon added 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting as his explosive start to the second quarter helped Phoenix create a double-digit cushion.

Cade Cunningham paced the Pistons (2-5), losers of four straight, with 26 points while rookie Marcus Sasser put in 22 off the bench, going 4-of-6 from 3.

This was Pistons coach Monty Williams’ first regular-season game against his former team as the Suns and Pistons met in the preseason in Detroit.

Williams coached the Suns to the 2021 finals, won NBA Coach of the Year in 2021-22, but was fired following last season after the Suns bowed out in the conference semifinals for a second straight year.

Here are five things learned from Sunday’s game before a sellout crowd of 20,062 that included Suns team owner Mat Ishbia sitting courtside with his family as Phoenix (3-4) concludes its three-game road trip Wednesday at Chicago (2-5).

Beal close to returning, Booker has new injury

Beal not only looked good in his pregame workout Saturday in Philadelphia, he felt good afterwards.

That’s more than good news for the Suns.

Beal is close to making his Suns regular season debut as it could happen as early as Wednesday at Chicago. He’s missed Phoenix’s seven games with continual back issues that limited him to two preseason games.

As for Booker, he’s had another setback.

Suns coach Frank Vogel revealed before Sunday’s game Booker strained his right calf in Thursday’s loss to San Antonio.

Booker was experiencing calf soreness Saturday and had an MRI later that night that revealed the strain.

He’s only played in two games, but experienced different injuries in each one. Booker suffered a left ankle sprain late in the opener at Golden State after coming into the game with a sore left big toe.

His inactivity and loss of conditioning from not practicing has contributed to the injuries. The Suns are monitoring him, but he could miss a considerable amount of games with the calf strain.

Without Durant

The Suns started the second quarter of Saturday’s loss at Philadelphia down one — and Durant getting a rest on the bench.

Philadelphia pushed the lead to seven and led by four when Durant checked back in 6:20 left in the half.

A game later, Durant once again started the second on the bench, but with the Suns leading by three.

When he returned with 5:51 remaining, the Suns were ahead 13 points and led by as many as 15.

That was the game.

Now one must factor in the opponent.

Philadelphia is far better than Detroit, but the Suns played better without Durant — and got an 11-point burst from Gordon during that time.

The Suns played through Jusuf Nurkic and Drew Eubanks with Gordon was effective.

With everyone healthy, one of the Big 3 is in the game.

The Suns are far from that now, but Gordon is the one guy who not only can score, but he is aggressive and will stay aggressive through the misses.

With Durant

Durant may be late into his career, but he can still carry the offense, especially when reaching a point where his team is losing.

Vogel said Durant’s body language was one that had an even greater purpose. Durant felt the same mentality with his teammates.

Combine that and Phoenix played with more intensity even in the second of a back-to-back.

Durant has been criticized for not being a vocal leader, but his ability to set the tone whether it’s scoring, playmaking or defending, that’s what the Suns desperately needed Sunday.

Durant has said he doesn’t like to take more than 20 shots unless it’s necessary.

Trust and believe, it was for the Suns to get back on the winning track, but he also had five assists, three blocks and just two turnovers in the game.

One of those blocks set the tone in the first quarter.

Killian Hayes was dribbling all over the court with Durant chasing him around.

Hayes eventually attempted a shot that Durant blocked and corralled.

Again, enough was enough for Durant.

Cunningham is their guy, but Thompson has got something

Cade Cunningham was the top overall pick for a reason.

He’s skilled, can score and has an NBA body.

So it’s no surprise he went for 26 Sunday, but Cunningham also committed six turnovers.

That’s nothing new, either. He’s averaging 5.3 turnovers game so far this season. Cunningham has committed six in each of his last six games after coughing up seven in a loss at Oklahoma City.

That trend can’t continue, but Williams has put the ball in his hands.

Just got to be better.

Williams also has a rookie in Ausar Thompson who may prove to be the best player on this team in three to four years.

He has a live, athletic body, can score (14 points, 2-of-3 from 3), rebound (nine boards), defend (four blocks, four steals) and only committed one turnover in 38 minutes.

This kid is a problem. Gives off a Scottie Pippen overall game vibe.

With Beal

The Suns may have him as soon as Wednesday against the Bulls.

Three things to watch when he does return.

One, his back obviously.

How aggressive is he in terms of looking to score, especially if Booker is out as expected.

Two, how quickly can he find his rhythm on offense and will he able to defend at a solid level or be a liability.

Three, how will his teammates respond.

They’ll surely have some extra energy with him on the floor.

Have opinions about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Five things learned as Durant drops 41 in leading Suns to much-needed win