When Houston Rockets took the court against the Phoenix Suns on Monday, November 24, 2025, at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona, nobody expected them to dominate without Kevin Durant. But that’s exactly what happened. Amen Thompson dropped 28 points, Aaron Holiday chipped in 22 off the bench, and the Rockets rolled to a 114-92 win — their fifth straight against Phoenix. The twist? Durant, the former Suns superstar, was wearing Houston’s jersey, not Phoenix’s. And the Suns? They looked lost without him — and they’re the ones who traded him away.
The Trade That Changed Everything
It’s been six months since the seismic seven-team trade sent Durant from Phoenix to Houston in exchange for Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, and the No. 10 overall pick — which Phoenix used to select Duke’s Khaman Maluach. At the time, Suns fans cheered the youth movement. Rockets fans celebrated landing a future Hall of Famer. But Monday night? It felt like karma. Durant didn’t play — he was resting after back-to-back games — yet Houston still crushed the team that gave him up. The Suns didn’t just lose. They collapsed. Their 92 points were a season low. Twenty turnovers. 41.3% shooting. And a fourth quarter where they scored just 17 points — their worst offensive quarter of the year.Game Flow: Houston Never Looked Back
The Rockets led 30-29 after the first quarter — barely. But by halftime, it was 59-50. By the end of the third, 84-75. The momentum didn’t just shift; it flipped. Houston’s defense smothered Phoenix’s backcourt. Collin Gillespie and Devin Booker combined for just 34 points on 12-of-34 shooting. Meanwhile, Thompson, the 20-year-old dynamo, attacked the rim with reckless abandon, finishing with six assists and four rebounds. Holiday, the veteran guard, was surgical from deep, hitting four threes in the second half. Even Steven Adams, at 33, anchored the paint with 11 rebounds and three blocks. The Suns’ lone bright spot? Dillon Brooks, who scored 29 points on 11-of-22 shooting. But even he looked frustrated — isolated, overworked, and clearly still adjusting to life without Durant’s gravity. Fans in the stands taunted Jabari Smith Jr. with chants of “We don’t have Jalen Green!” Smith, unfazed, fired back: “Yeah, we don’t have a guy named Kevin Durant playing. Maybe you’ve heard of him.” The crowd fell silent.Numbers That Tell the Story
- Houston Rockets: 11-4 (winning percentage: .733) — 11 wins in 13 games since November 1. - Phoenix Suns: 11-7 (.611) — three-game win streak snapped, season-low 92 points. - Turnovers: Suns 20 → Rockets scored 26 points off them. - Three-pointers: Houston made 14; Phoenix made just 7. - Win streak: Rockets now have five straight wins over Phoenix — their longest in franchise history against the Suns. And here’s the kicker: Houston hasn’t lost to Phoenix since March 2024. That’s 10 games. Ten. In a league where parity rules, this isn’t coincidence. It’s consequence.What This Means for Both Teams
For Houston, this win isn’t just about beating a rival. It’s validation. They traded for Durant to be contenders — not just to win games, but to win big ones. They’ve now won five straight, and their depth is becoming terrifying. Alperen Şengün (who had 17 points and 10 boards) is playing like an All-Star. Thompson is becoming the breakout star everyone missed in the draft. Even backups like Oso Ighodaro are making plays. This team is clicking. For Phoenix? It’s a crisis of identity. They gave up a generational scorer for a draft pick and two role players. Maluach? He played 11 minutes. Brooks? He’s a scorer, not a system builder. And now, without Durant, they’re exposed. Their offense stagnates. Their defense looks confused. And the fans? They’re wondering if they traded the wrong guy.
What’s Next?
The Rockets head to Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 — a tough test against a team hungry for revenge after last week’s loss. The Suns? They travel to Sacramento to face the Kings, who’ve been surging. Both teams need wins. But only one seems to know how to find them.Behind the Scenes
Game officials: 524988, 526799, and 525624 (per RotoWire). The game was covered by ESPN, CBS Sports, and YouTube highlights from FreeDawkins — all reporting the same narrative: Houston played smarter, faster, and hungrier. Even the AP’s report from Phoenix — “PHOENIX (AP)” — carried a tone of disbelief.Frequently Asked Questions
Why didn’t Kevin Durant play despite being on the Rockets?
Durant was rested after playing in back-to-back games, a common practice for veteran stars to manage load. He’s averaging 26.4 points this season and played 38 minutes the night before against Denver. The Rockets are being cautious — and it didn’t hurt them. Their depth allowed them to win without him, proving they’re more than just a one-man team.
How has the Durant trade impacted the Suns’ performance?
The Suns have struggled to replace Durant’s scoring and leadership. Their offensive rating dropped from 118.2 last season to 112.4 this year. Without him, they lack a go-to option in crunch time. Dillon Brooks, while talented, isn’t a playmaker. Their three-game winning streak ended with this loss — their first defeat since Durant left.
Is Amen Thompson emerging as a star?
Absolutely. Thompson, the 2024 No. 1 overall pick, is averaging 21.8 points and 6.1 assists over his last 10 games. His athleticism and fearlessness in the paint have made him a nightmare for smaller guards. Against Phoenix, he scored 28 points on 11-of-17 shooting — the highest output of his young career. He’s becoming the face of Houston’s new era.
What does this mean for the Western Conference playoff race?
Houston’s 11-4 record puts them in the top four of the West, ahead of teams like the Lakers and Warriors. The Suns, at 11-7, are clinging to the 7th spot. With the Rockets on a five-game win streak and the Suns losing momentum, Houston could be a serious threat in the playoffs — especially if Durant stays healthy. Phoenix, meanwhile, may need a midseason trade to stay competitive.
Why did the Suns trade Kevin Durant in the first place?
Phoenix wanted to rebuild around younger talent and shed Durant’s massive contract, which expires after next season. They believed Jalen Green and the No. 10 pick (Khaman Maluach) would be the future. But Green was traded to Houston as part of the deal — a move that now looks like a catastrophic misread. The Suns didn’t just lose Durant. They lost their identity.
Are the Rockets now title contenders?
They’re close. With Durant, Thompson, Şengün, and Holiday, they have four All-Star-caliber players. Their bench depth is elite. They’re top-five in offensive efficiency and top-eight in defense. If they stay healthy and maintain this pace, they’ll be a nightmare in the playoffs — especially if they meet Phoenix again. That series would be poetic.
