Kevin Durant hit a game-winning 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds remaining as the Houston Rockets defeated the Phoenix Suns 100-97 on Monday night. The 15-time All-Star made clear the victory held special significance against the team that traded him away this past summer.
Durant finished with 26 points in his first matchup against his former team. The Suns dealt him to Houston in a blockbuster trade that sent Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green to Phoenix.
When asked if beating the Suns meant more to him, Durant offered a blunt assessment of his departure from Phoenix.
“Most definitely,” said Durant. “A place that I didn’t want to leave. My first time — I don’t want to sound too dramatic, but I will — to be kicked out of a place.”
Durant spent 2½ seasons with Phoenix after arriving in a trade from the Brooklyn Nets in February 2023. He earned All-Star selections in both full seasons but the team underperformed expectations. The Suns lost in the first round in 2023-24 and missed the playoffs entirely last season.
“It feels good to play against a team that booted you out of the building and scapegoated you for all the problems they had,” Durant said. “And it hurt because I put all my effort and love and care towards the Suns and the Phoenix area and Arizona in general. But that’s just the business, that’s the name of the game.”
Durant emphasized his competitive drive while maintaining respect for his former teammates. He acknowledged wanting to prove he remains an elite player despite his age.
“I want to show them that I still got some juice in the tank. Even though I’m old, I still can play.”
Durant suggested the emotions would fade quickly after the victory.
“By the time I get home tonight, I probably won’t even remember it. Well, I will remember it, but I’ll try my best to forget about it and move on to the next one.”