Even though the Rockets and Suns have already faced off this season, Kevin Durant was obviously having fun when he exacted revenge on his old team on Monday by making a crucial game-winning three-pointer to help Houston defeat Phoenix 100-97. With five seconds remaining and several Suns defenders in his grill, Durant received an inbound from Jabari Smith Jr. as the game was tied at 97 points apiece.
With only 0.3 seconds remaining, he took the shot and overcame Royce O’Neale to sink a dagger.
The superstar forward stood on the court and motioned for his former club to leave, sending the crowd inside Houston’s Toyota Center into a frenzy.
See the celebration below:
KEVIN DURANT HITS THE CLUTCH 3 TO WIN IT FOR HOUSTON 🚨 pic.twitter.com/1lC1qjT0Ok
— NBA (@NBA) January 6, 2026
Despite struggling from the three-point line, making just two of his twelve attempts, Durant finished the game with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists. But when the Rockets needed it, he delivered, calling game when he had the chance.
Amid MVP chants from the home crowd, he remarked after the game:
“All my three-pointers felt good leaving my hand,”
“Some of them hit the back rim, too strong. And I’m like, ‘I’m going to hit one at some point.’ I kept telling the team that I’m going to hit a three at some point and by the grace of God it was the last one.”
During the offseason, the Suns traded Durant to the Rockets for five second-round picks, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft.
