Okorie’s late layup finishes Pistons’ comeback against Suns

Ebuka Okorie made a driving layup with 5.8 seconds remaining to give the Detroit Pistons a 109–107 preseason win over the Phoenix Suns on Monday at Little Caesars Arena. The rookie guard supplied the final basket after Detroit erased an 18-point halftime deficit and Phoenix briefly recovered to tie the game.

The finish followed a sharp reversal between the two halves. Phoenix led 35–21 after the first quarter and 68–50 at halftime. Detroit answered with a 34–16 third quarter, bringing the teams level at 84 before the reserves decided the closing minutes.

Okorie scored seven points in 10 minutes, making three of four shots. His final drive came after Koa Peat's dunk tied the score at 107 with 12.1 seconds left. Detroit called timeout, got the ball back to Okorie and regained the lead. Jamaree Bouyea missed a long three-point attempt on Phoenix's last possession.

Detroit's broader comeback had several contributors. Ronald Holland II finished with 14 points, four rebounds, five steals and two blocks in 24 minutes. Daniss Jenkins had five points and four assists in 18 minutes, while Paul Reed supplied 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists in 21 minutes. Reed made all six of his free throws.

The Suns' first-half performance gave their established scorers a productive short run. Devin Booker had 13 points in 16 minutes, making four of seven shots and all four free throws. Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green each scored 11. Brooks made two three-pointers, and Miles Bridges added eight points, five rebounds and four assists.

Jordan Goodwin contributed seven points, six rebounds and three steals in only 11 minutes. Collin Gillespie made all three of his field-goal attempts, including two three-pointers, for eight points. Khaman Maluach had six points and a block in 17 minutes.

The exhibition's changing personnel matters when interpreting the turnaround. Bright Side Of The Sun reported that Phoenix's starters played only the first half. Booker and Brooks each finished plus-18 in those shorter appearances, while the Suns' later groups absorbed Detroit's comeback.

Detroit also received 10 points apiece from Cade Cunningham, John Collins and Ausar Thompson. Duncan Robinson made three three-pointers for nine points in 13 minutes. The scoring distribution left Okorie with an opportunity to finish a comeback built by several different groups.

Phoenix finished with 32 turnovers. Bright Side Of The Sun reported that 13 came during the third quarter, when Detroit erased the halftime deficit. The Suns did recover from a five-point deficit late: Bouyea's three-pointer cut it to two before Peat's tying dunk. Okorie's next drive supplied the last basket, and Bouyea's final three-point attempt missed.