Durant Shines in Phoenix Return as Rockets Extend Winning Streak with Comeback Victory

Written by Pavel Kateliev

Pavel Kateliev is a popular sport journalist, particularly in the fields of football, basketball, tennis, and hockey. He writes daily for Sportingpedia and his work has been translated into at least 20 languages and featured on renowned outlets such as BBC, Yahoo, MCN, Sun, and Evening News, in Italian, English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

, | Updated: April 8, 2026

Key Takeaways:

The Houston Rockets overturned a 21-point deficit to defeat the Phoenix Suns 119-105 on Tuesday night in Phoenix
Kevin Durant scored 24 points, including 5 of 9 from three-point range, in his first game back in Phoenix since his offseason trade
The Rockets have now won seven consecutive games and are tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for fourth place in the Western Conference standings

Match Recap

On Tuesday night in Phoenix, the Houston Rockets surged back from an early 21-point deficit to claim a 119-105 victory over the Suns, with Kevin Durant marking his return to the city by posting 24 points. The Rockets trailed 26-5 midway through the first quarter as the Suns made 10 of their initial 15 field goals. However, Houston responded strongly to narrow the gap to 57-54 by the interval.

7️⃣ STRAIGHT#AllFire pic.twitter.com/o9dMvMYiSj
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) April 8, 2026

Durant’s Impactful Return

Durant, who was transferred to Houston during the offseason following a 2 1/2-year spell with the Suns, was met by a mixed response of boos and cheers upon being introduced as part of the Rockets’ starting five. The 16-time All-Star demonstrated his sharp shooting with 5 of 9 accuracy from beyond the arc, including a crucial three-pointer with 4:14 remaining that extended Houston’s lead to 111-96.

Durant’s transaction earlier this year sent Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green to the Suns. During his time in Phoenix, Durant arrived amid high expectations following a major trade coinciding with Mat Ishbia’s official takeover as majority owner, yet the team were unable to progress beyond the playoffs’ second round during his tenure.

Turnaround and Final Surge

Although Phoenix led 84-81 entering the final period, Houston initiated the fourth quarter with an 8-0 run, seizing a lead they would not relinquish. The Rockets’ starting lineup all reached double digits in scoring, and the team dominated on the boards, holding a 55-34 rebounding advantage over the Suns. Devin Booker top-scored for Phoenix with 31 points.