When the Pistons' lead guard is on the sideline, they often become stagnant offensively and concede leads or dig a deeper hole.

The Detroit Pistons take on the Phoenix Suns in non-conference action. The teams play Saturday for the first time this season.

This game marked the Suns debut for Nick Richards after he was acquired from the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday. Richards came off the bench and made a huge impact with 21 points on 7-of-8 shooting, 11 rebounds and was a team-high plus-22 in 30 minutes.

Phoenix Suns are above .500 for first time since Christmas after win over Detroit Pistons in third game of five-game road trip.

Detroit Pistons forward Tim Hardaway Jr. (8) loses the ball against defense from Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson) AP

Getting seasoned veterans in the building wasn’t a foreign concept for the Detroit Pistons before. Over the summer, Pistons President of Basketball Operations T

Nick Richards has made an immediate impact off the bench for the Suns' with inside play in his debut. He scored 10 of his 11 points in the second quarter. He's shot a perfect 4-of-4, including two dunks, five rebounds, one assist, and has produced a game-high plus-15

Devin Booker and Ryan Dunn had hot starts to lead Phoenix after a tight first quarter over Detroit, 30-29. Booker put up the game-high 13 points (4-of-8) and Ryan Dunn has 10 points on 4-of-5, picking up from his hot streak from his 8-of-12 and career-high 18 in the Suns’ win at Washington on Thursday.

Phoenix Suns Top Performers Kevin Durant – 36 points (21 in 3Q), 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 3 blocks, 2 3PM Devin Booker – 35 points (23 in 1H), 5 rebounds 5th straight 30-PT game Nick Richards – 21 points,

Trae Young had 28 points and 11 assists to help the visiting Atlanta Hawks extend their winning streak to three games by defeating the Boston Celtics 119-115 in overtime on Saturday.

Kevin Durant scored 30 of his 36 points in the second half, Devin Booker supplied 35 points and the Phoenix Suns defeated the host Detroit Pistons 125-121 on Saturday.Booker notched his fifth conse