Game winner against a former team
Houston’s Kevin Durant delivered a dramatic finish on Monday night, hitting a game-winning three-pointer with 1.1 seconds left to lift the Rockets to a 100–97 victory over the Phoenix Suns.
Durant finished the night with 26 points, but it was his deep 27-footer at the buzzer that defined the game. The contest was tied before the shot, making the moment even more significant for the veteran forward.
Extra motivation fueled the moment
After the game, Durant made it clear the basket meant more because it came against Phoenix, the franchise he left earlier this year. He said it was a place he never wanted to leave and described the departure as being forced out.
Durant joined Houston this summer in a blockbuster trade that sent Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green to Phoenix. Facing his former team for the first time, he admitted there was extra emotion and motivation behind the performance.
Reflecting on his time in Phoenix
The 37-year-old spent two and a half seasons with the Suns after arriving in a major trade in February 2023. He was an All-Star in both of his full seasons there, but postseason success proved elusive. Phoenix exited in the first round in 2024 and missed the playoffs last season.
Durant said his feelings were not directed at former teammates, but stemmed from a desire to prove he still belongs at the highest level. As a competitor, he explained, playing against a former organization naturally brings added intensity.
Looking ahead with Houston
Despite the emotions surrounding the game, Durant downplayed any lingering resentment. He said the focus now shifts quickly to the next matchup, emphasizing that moments like these fade fast in a long season.
For the Rockets, the win served as a statement performance, powered by a star who showed he still has plenty left in the tank and can deliver when it matters most.