At 37 years old, Kevin Durant delivered a defining moment against his former team, knocking down a game-winning shot in the final seconds to lift the Houston Rockets past the Phoenix Suns. It was more than just a buzzer-beater — it was an emotional response to criticism, disappointment, and a painful exit that still lingers.
A Shot Fueled by History, Not Just the Clock
This was not an ordinary game-winning basket. It was a release of two and a half years of expectations, frustration, and unresolved emotions.
With the score tied and time winding down, Kevin Durant took the inbound pass on the sideline. Standing in front of him was Royce O’Neale, a familiar face from his Phoenix days. Two quick dribbles to his right, a controlled rise, and a clean release.
The shot dropped through the net with 1.1 seconds remaining, sealing a 100–97 win for Houston over Phoenix. No defender could alter it. No hesitation was visible. It was a moment of clarity from a player who has spent much of the last few seasons answering questions about decline rather than ability.
For Suns fans, the moment was especially bitter. Just one night earlier, Devin Booker had delivered a similar late three-pointer to defeat Oklahoma City. This time, Phoenix found itself on the other side of the script — and Durant was the author.
“They Pushed Me Out”: Durant on Facing His Former Team
Durant, typically reserved in postgame settings, acknowledged that this basket carried extra weight.
“It definitely meant more,” he admitted. “This was a place I didn’t want to leave. I don’t want to sound too dramatic, but that’s the truth — I was pushed out.”
He continued by addressing the emotional side of the separation:
“It feels good to beat a team that showed you the door and made you the scapegoat for everything. That part hurt, because I gave everything I had — my energy, my love for the game — to Phoenix and the organization. But that’s the business. When you play your former team, yeah, there’s some resentment there.”
Durant spent two and a half seasons in Phoenix following a blockbuster trade. During that time, he earned two All-Star selections with the Suns but never led the team to the postseason success they envisioned. In his final year, Phoenix failed even to reach the play-in tournament despite a roster built around multiple star-level names.
As the losses mounted, blame followed. Questions surfaced about Durant’s age, leadership, and playing style. In the summer of 2025, the Suns chose to reset, sending Durant to Houston in a deal that brought back Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, and the 10th pick in the draft.
Houston’s Statement — and Durant’s Response to Doubt
Since the trade, Houston has dominated the season series against Phoenix. The Rockets defeated the Suns once without Durant in November, again with him in December without much resistance, and now for a third time — this one coming down to the final possession.
Durant finished the night as the central figure, delivering not only the decisive basket but the clearest response to ongoing doubts about his longevity.
“I want to show people I still have something left,” Durant said earlier this season. “Even if I’m older, I can still play.”
At 37, his message continues to resonate on the court.
Importantly, Durant made a clear distinction between individuals and institutions. His frustration, he explained, was never directed at former teammates.
“It’s all love for the players,” he said. “I just want to beat that team. There’s nothing malicious about it.”
Then, with a touch of irony, he tried to downplay the emotional weight of the moment.
“By the time I get home tonight, I probably won’t even think about it,” Durant said with a smile. “I mean, I’ll remember it — but I’ll try to move on.”
A Classic NBA Revenge Story
Sports often thrive on moments like these — not because of anger alone, but because of meaning. Durant’s game-winner against Phoenix was not just a highlight. It was a reminder that elite players do not fade quietly, and that personal history can still shape the biggest moments on the floor.
At 37 years old, Kevin Durant proved once again that time has not stripped him of his edge — or his ability to deliver when it matters most.
Game Statistics
Houston Rockets 100, Phoenix Suns 97
(January 6, Toyota Center)
Houston:
Kevin Durant — 26 points, 10 rebounds
Amen Thompson — 17 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists
Jabari Smith Jr. — 17 points, 7 rebounds
Tari Eason — 12 points, 8 rebounds
Steven Adams — 8 points, 11 rebounds
Bench:
Reed Sheppard — 11 points
Aaron Holiday — 4 points
Dorian Finney-Smith — 3 points
Phoenix:
Devin Booker — 27 points
Royce O’Neale — 15 points
Dillon Brooks — 15 points
Collin Gillespie — 11 points
Williams — 4 points, 8 rebounds
Bench:
Jordan Goodwin — 11 points
Ighodaro — 9 points, 8 rebounds
What This Result Means Going Forward
The win further strengthens Houston’s position in the Western Conference standings, while Phoenix continues to search for consistency during a challenging stretch of the season. With head-to-head results increasingly impacting playoff positioning, games like this could prove decisive later in the year.
For the latest updates on team records, conference races, and playoff positioning, visit our NBA standings section, where rankings are updated daily throughout the regular season.
