Business as usual for Kevin Durant.
The Slim Reaper fired 21 points on just 12 shots, four other Suns players scored in double digits, as the Phoenix rolled past the Detroit Pistons, 105-97, and into their second-straight NBA preseason win.
🏀 TUESDAY'S FINAL SCORES 🏀
— NBA (@NBA) October 9, 2024
Kevin Durant scores an efficient 21 PTS (8-12 FGM) to lift the @Suns to their second #NBAPreseason victory!
Bradley Beal: 12 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL pic.twitter.com/oQWMyDSuXU
Durant played in just 18 minutes but inflicted damage with an efficient game, drilling four triples on top of three rebounds and two assists.
KD puts up 21 PTS in 18 minutes of action as the @Suns pick up the #NBAPreseason win! pic.twitter.com/oU64ecShoC
— NBA (@NBA) October 9, 2024
The four-time NBA champion was coming off a measly 4-point, 3-for-10 outing in their 118-114 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Bradley Beal churned in 12 markers, Royce O’Neal and rookie Ryan Dunn each scored 11 points apiece. Devin Booker had 10 points and three assists.
😄😄 https://t.co/w9QuO7w7ul pic.twitter.com/p6UmwrjOqo
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) October 9, 2024
Phoenix took control from start to finish, building their largest lead at 21 points at 79-58 after a Beal flush with 3:55 left in the third.
Despite a 31-21 fourth quarter in favor of Detroit, the Suns were able to hang on and hand the Pistons their first preseason loss.
Jalen Duren topscored the Pistons with 17 points, while Cade Cunningham added 16 markers. They will face Phoenix again on Saturday, October 10 (PH time).
No.1 pick Zaccharie Risacher solid in first preseason game as a Hawk
It was a triumphant preseason debut for the reigning no. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher.
Risacher impressed with 18 points, Seth Lundy hit the game-winner, and time expired as the new-look Atlanta Hawks squeezed past the Indiana Pacers, 131-130.
The French rookie came off the bench and added three rebounds and two assists on a solid 7-for-9 shooting including three triples.
No. 1 overall pick is on the board 🔥
— NBA (@NBA) October 9, 2024
Zaccharie Risacher scores his first #NBAPreseason points!
IND-ATL | Live on NBA TV
📲 https://t.co/2jJFZFROUf pic.twitter.com/GUwrJEj5jP
No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher rolls to the rim for the big-time stuff!
— NBA (@NBA) October 9, 2024
IND-ATL | Live on NBA TV
📲 https://t.co/2jJFZFROUf pic.twitter.com/Xw9qqNDpHD
Trailing 128-120 with 6.9 seconds left, David Roddy missed his second free throw. But Dominick Barlow tipped the ball towards Mouhamed Gueye, who then found Keaton Wallace and passed it to Lundy.
The 2023 second round pick then shrugged off two defenders before hitting the game-winning triple to steal the dub away from the Pacers.
SETH LUNDY IMPOSSIBLE 3 FOR THE WIN 🚨 pic.twitter.com/taNew2Mdui
— NBA (@NBA) October 9, 2024
Jalen Johnson led the way for Atlanta with 19 points, while Pascal Siakam tallied 15 markers, three boards and four dimes for the Pacers.
Up next for the Hawks are the Philadelphia 76ers, while Indiana squares off next against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Hornets, Bulls, and Clippers get first preseason wins
LaMelo Ball dazzled with 24 points, six rebounds, and four assists to help the Charlotte Hornets beat the Miami Heat, 111-108.
The Hornets bounced back quickly after a 111-109 defeat against the New York Knicks with Ball leading the charge anew.
Bam Adebayo and Kel'el Ware each scored 13 markers to banner the Heat, who will meet the New Orleans Pelicans in their next game.
Meanwhile, Coby White and Chicago Bulls also barged into the NBA preseason winning column following a 116-112 dub over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Coby White scores 21 PTS in #NBAPreseason action as the @chicagobulls defeat the Cavs! pic.twitter.com/gmwhtejrWb
— NBA (@NBA) October 9, 2024
White dropped a team-high 21 points, with five Bulls in double digits. Meanwhile, Evan Mobley spearheaded the Cavaliers with 19 markers.
All-star backcourt duo Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell combined for 25 markers.
Chicago will lock horns against the Memphis Grizzlies next, while Cleveland tangles with Indiana.
In Brooklyn, James Harden poured 14 points and the LA Clippers nabbed their win behind a 115-106 dub against the Nets.
Harden handles. 🕺
— NBA (@NBA) October 9, 2024
Harden hits. 🤘
BKN-LAC | Live on NBA League Pass
📲 https://t.co/nMcWCoMWrY pic.twitter.com/Y1Xzh4OEp2
Keon Johnson had 14 markers off the bench for Brooklyn, who dropped their preseason opener and will face the Washington Wizards next.
Up next for the Clippers are the Portland Trail Blazers.
