Suns Finally Get a Game, in Detroit

By the Suns Nightly Desk · Sunday, October 4

Still 0-0 with nothing played, Phoenix gets its first live look Monday in Detroit against a Pistons team that won 60 games last season. Duop Reath and CJ Huntley both shed their injury tags Friday, leaving Mark Williams as the lone Sun sidelined.

Suns Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Opener Lands in Detroit. Phoenix plays its first preseason game Monday at Detroit, a Pistons club that went 60-22 last season behind Cade Cunningham's 23.9 points and 9.9 assists a game. Jalen Duren added 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds. It is the Suns' only true away game among their four preseason dates.

Two Clearances, Same Day. CJ Huntley and Duop Reath both had their injury tags lifted Friday. Reath, who joined the roster September 25 with a lower-body issue, is cleared without having logged a game yet in Phoenix. Huntley's clearance came with no further detail disclosed beyond the earlier listing.

Williams Still the Exception. Mark Williams remains the one Sun unavailable, sidelined since a left shoulder issue surfaced September 11. His return is estimated for February 3, 2027, meaning the center spot stays open deep into the schedule even as Reath and Huntley rejoin healthy bodies.

Gregory on the Record. General manager Brian Gregory addressed the state of the roster Friday, touching on Jordan Ott, Devin Booker, Miles Bridges and Jalen Green, according to Hoops Rumors. No new transaction came with it, just a front-office read on where camp stands.

Detroit's Size Test. Duren and John Collins, who added 13.6 points and 5.3 rebounds last season, give Phoenix its first real look at frontcourt pressure without Williams available to help answer it. Preseason minutes for Khaman Maluach and the reserve bigs carry extra weight because of it.

The Number: 8.4. Detroit's net rating last season, best among the Suns' first four preseason opponents and a reminder of the gap Phoenix is measuring itself against after missing the playoffs. Phoenix's own net rating finished at 1.4.

On deck After Monday at Detroit, Phoenix plays at Chicago on October 7, hosts San Antonio on October 10 on ESPN2, and closes preseason October 14 at San Antonio before the regular-season opener October 21 at Portland.

When do the Suns play their first preseason game?

Monday, October 5, at the Detroit Pistons.

Is Mark Williams playing in the preseason opener?

No. Williams has been out since a left shoulder issue surfaced September 11, with his return estimated for February 3, 2027.