WASHINGTON (AFP) — Kevin Durant rediscovered his form as he scored 41 points to lead Phoenix over Detroit and former Suns coach Monty Williams while Britain’s O.G. Anunoby sparked Toronto’s stunning National Basketball Association rally at San Antonio.
Toronto made a 22-point fightback to beat the Spurs, 123-116, in overtime while the Cleveland Cavaliers sparkled as well, snapping a 12-game regular-season losing streak to Golden State dating to Christmas 2016.
Durant added five assists, four rebounds, three blocked shots and a steal to power the Suns past the host Pistons, 120-106.
“He was terrific, scored the ball every way you can, really wants it,” Suns coach Frank Vogel said.
“Just a really terrific performance. He’s really good at basketball and he showed it tonight.”
The Suns outscored Detroit in every quarter as Eric Gordon contributed 21 points and eight assists for Phoenix, which snapped a three-game losing skid.
“We’re excited because we finally got a win,” Durant said.
Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 26 points in the first
regular-season matchup between the Suns and their former coach Williams.
After Williams was fired as the Suns’ coach following a
second-round playoff exit last season, Detroit signed him to a six-year deal worth $78.5 million.
The Suns were without Bradley Beal, sidelined by back spasms, and Devin Booker, out with a calf strain.
In Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell scored 31 points and Darius Garland added 24 to power the Cavaliers over Golden State, 115-104.
“The biggest thing for us is that we put together a full game,” Mitchell said.
“We fought hard. That’s a tough team. They have a lot of guys who have won championship rings and we’re trying to get to that level. We’ve got to continue this momentum.”
Evan Mobley added a game-high 16 rebounds for the Cavs.
“He was dominant,” Mitchell said.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 28 points, hitting 7-of-11 shots from 3-point range, while Draymond Green added 18 points for Golden State, which saw a five-game win streak ended.
In San Antonio, 26-year-old English forward Anunoby scored 24 points for the Raptors, hitting a career-best seven three-pointers to spark a shocking comeback over star French rookie Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs.
