Detroit Pistons Comeback: Ron Holland II’s 7 Stocks Fuel Preseason Win Over Suns

During last night’s preseason opener at Little Caesars Arena, the Detroit Pistons had to erase an 18-point halftime deficit in their last-second win over the Phoenix Suns, 109-107. In the waning moments, rookie point guard Ebuka Okorie flashed his self-creation ability by taking just three dribbles to go from a standstill right up to the rack and won the game with a left-handed scoop to put the Pistons ahead by two. 

But in order to make that clutch game-winner possible, Detroit had to fight and claw their way back into the game. That effort started in the third quarter when Ron Holland II took his defensive pressure to another level and served as the catalyst for the Pistons comeback with five steals and two blocks to his credit. 

Now, Holland’s smothering defense at the point-of-attack should come as no surprise after his first two seasons in the league, but the Detroit wing worked diligently in the offseason to enter the 2026-27 campaign with more two-way balance to his game. Pistons assistant coach Fred Vinson worked with Holland to refine his shooting mechanics throughout the summer, and the early returns are positive after his team-high 14-point performance against Phoenix. 

”I was watching a lot of film this summer, and I went out there and when I was in the gym being intentional about working on patience instead of just talking about it— putting bodies in front of me, being able to play as fast as I play but be able to slow the game down in my head,” Holland said after the game. “I think it showed tonight. Obviously, I’ve got ways to go. We’ve got a long season, but I think tonight was a great showing for it.”

Apart from his influence in the transition game, Holland primarily operated from the corner during halfcourt sets last season, but the Pistons are looking for more well-rounded offensive contributions moving forward, which makes the preseason a valuable opportunity for the G-League Ignite product. 

Overall, Holland posted 14 points (4-for-12 shooting), four rebounds, one assist, five steals and two blocks on the night, so his impact was felt on both ends of the court in Detroit’s narrow victory. Ideally, the Pistons would have preferred a more comfortable margin of victory, but Holland mentioned that head coach J.B. Bickerstaff delivered a passionate halftime speech that speared the squad’s second half comeback. 

From a versatility perspective, Holland was one of four players for the Pistons to log time at multiple positions against the Suns. Detroit also deployed John Collins, Ausar Thompson and Ebuka Okorie in more than one role in the preseason opener, so look for Bickerstaff to continue tinkering with the lineup since there’s so many new members of the team to work with this season. 

Now that the Pistons are off to a 1-0 start in the preseason, the squad has four days off to review last night’s win and to make adjustments before game two on Saturday night, which is a 7 pm tilt against the Washington Wizards on the road.