Kevin Durant didn’t hold back his emotions following Monday night’s game, where he defeated his former team. Durant clinched the win for the Houston Rockets with a decisive shot made 1.1 seconds before the buzzer, securing a 100-97 victory against the Phoenix Suns. Receiving an inbound pass from Royce O’Neal, he dribbled twice before sinking a deep shot with ease.
The crowd at Toyota Center erupted in celebration, and Durant himself didn’t shy away from mocking his former team. However, the real highlight came from Durant’s remarks about the Suns after the game.
When asked if the shot had extra meaning because it was against the Suns, he responded, “Absolutely. It’s a place I didn’t want to leave. I don’t want to sound too dramatic, but it was the first time I’d ever been pushed out.”
Durant had spent two and a half seasons with the Suns before being traded to Houston in a major deal last summer. During his time with Phoenix, the team only reached the second round of the playoffs once and missed the postseason entirely last year. Durant saw three head coaches during his tenure there and is now under Jordan Ott’s leadership.
He pointed out that the Suns had multiple roster problems, not just issues related to him, but felt like he was unfairly blamed for everything.
“It feels good to play against a team that ran you out and made you the scapegoat,” he said. “It hurt because I gave my all and cared deeply for the Suns and the Phoenix area. But it’s business, and that’s the game. So yeah, when you face your former team, you come with a chip on your shoulder.”
Devin Booker led the Suns with 27 points, while O’Neal and Dillon Brooks each scored 15 points. The Suns currently hold a 21-15 record, having won six of their last eight games, steadily climbing the Western Conference standings.
Durant contributed 26 points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets, with his game-winner marking his second three-pointer of the night (making 2 of 12 from beyond the arc). Armen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. each put up 17 points and seven rebounds, and Tali Eason added 12 points and eight rebounds. Houston’s record stands at 22-11 this season.
“As I get older, I can still play,” Durant remarked. “Every player feels that way against a former team. There’s no ill will, but as a competitor, you want to beat them.”
While Durant clearly harbors some resentment toward the Suns’ organization, he has avoided many matchups with them early this season. Monday’s game was the Rockets’ third against Phoenix this year, and Houston has won all three. The teams won’t meet again until April 7, unless they face off in the playoffs, which could extend the rivalry into next season.
Despite his strong words, Durant expects the emotions to fade quickly. “By the time I get home tonight, I probably won’t even remember that,” he said, “Well, I remember, but I’ll try my best to forget and move on.”
Fan Take: This moment underscores the fierce competitiveness and complex emotions players face when going against former teams, adding an intense layer to NBA rivalries. For fans, it highlights how personal narratives can shape not just individual careers but also the dynamics and drama of the sport.
