Kevin Durant’s 43 points carried the Phoenix Suns ’ scoring load during Devin Booker’s absence, but the Detroit Pistons handed the Suns their second straight loss, 133-125, on Saturday. Bradley Beal put up 26 points, six rebounds, five assists, and Tyus Jones shot a nearly perfect 7-of-8 in the losing effort.

Then Booker played through a left groin injury in his 58-point effort against the Pelicans that ended with a 118-114 home win Dec. 17. He missed Phoenix’s next three games before returning against the Denver Nuggets on Christmas Day, but re-aggravated the injury within five minutes of 128-125 overtime road loss and didn’t return.