In a finish only he could deliver, Kevin Durant tormented his former team Phoenix Suns, drilling a clutch dagger to steer the Houston Rockets back to their winning ways.
These are exactly the moments why the Houston Rockets acquired a closer like Kevin Durant.
Durant, facing his former team the Phoenix Suns, delivered a cold-blooded game-winning three-pointer with just 0.3 seconds left, propelling the Rockets to a thrilling 103-100 victory on Tuesday, January 6 (PH time).
A day after Devin Booker hit a game-winner for the reigning champion OKC Thunder, the Suns found themselves on the wrong end of Durant’s signature heroics.
With the game tied at 97, the two-time NBA champion calmly sized up his defender, took two dribbles, and launched a clutch trey over Royce O’Neal that sent Houston into celebration mode.
Phoenix had a final chance to force overtime, but a Booker missed right-wing shot sealed their fate.
Durant finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds, while Amen Thompson added 17 points, seven boards, and six assists, helping Houston bounce back in style.
The victory improved the Rockets to 22-11 as they gear up for a back-to-back series against the Portland Trail Blazers (16-20).
For the Suns, Booker led the scoring with 27 points, while Royce O’Neale and Dillon Brooks contributed 15 each.
Phoenix dropped to 21-15 and will look to rebound on the road against the Memphis Grizzlies (15-20).
—
Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.