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yesterday

Kevin Durant Buries 27-Foot Winner to Beat Suns, Rockets Improve to 22-11

Afterward, he framed the moment as payback for being 'kicked' out of Phoenix, calling himself a scapegoat from last summer's trade.

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Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (1) and forward Kevin Durant (7) celebrate Durant’s three-point shot against the Phoenix Suns at the Toyota Center in Houston on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Houston Rockets won the game 100-97.
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) celebrates his game-winning three-point shot in the final seconds of game action against the Phoenix Suns at the Toyota Center in Houston on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Houston Rockets won the game 100-97.

Overview

  • Durant hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds left to seal Houston’s 100-97 win over Phoenix, capping a rally from 13 down in the third quarter.
  • He finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds, going 2-of-12 from deep on a night the Rockets shot 24% from three but converting the decisive attempt.
  • Postgame, Durant said the shot carried extra meaning because he felt the Suns 'kicked' him out and scapegoated him for last season’s problems.
  • The victory is Houston’s fifth in six games and pushes the Rockets to 22-11; they are 3-0 versus the Suns this season.
  • Houston is navigating Alperen Şengün’s right ankle sprain, with Steven Adams returning to grab 11 rebounds as Tari Eason forced a key Devin Booker miss before Durant’s winner.