Rockets Stun Suns 114-92 Without Durant, Thompson Leads Late Surge

When Kevin Durant didn’t step onto the court at the Footprint Center on Monday night, no one expected the Houston Rockets to walk out with a 22-point win. But that’s exactly what happened. The Phoenix Suns, missing their 37-year-old All-Star forward for personal reasons, were outplayed, outmuscled, and outcoached in a 114-92 defeat that reshaped the Western Conference landscape. It wasn’t just the absence of Durant — it was how the Rockets seized the moment like a team that had been waiting for this exact scenario.

A Night That Wasn’t Supposed to Happen

The game was billed as a physical battle between two of the league’s hottest teams. Both the Suns and Rockets came in at 11-6 and 10-4 respectively, each riding eight-game winning streaks in their last 10 contests. The Suns averaged 118.7 points per game; the Rockets, 120.9. Both teams played fast, defended aggressively, and thrived in transition. But when Durant’s name was scratched from the lineup just hours before tip-off — a last-minute decision tied to a family matter — the narrative flipped. No longer was this a star-vs-star showdown. It became a test of character.

For Phoenix, the burden shifted squarely onto Devin Booker, the 28-year-old guard averaging 26.9 points and 7.1 assists. He delivered — 24 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists — but it wasn’t enough. The Suns’ offense, which thrives on Durant’s gravity and spacing, looked stiff, predictable. Without him, the ball stuck. Passes were late. Shots were contested. And the Rockets? They smelled blood.

The Rockets’ Stars Step Up

Amen Thompson, the 22-year-old point guard from Alabama, didn’t just play well — he played like a veteran. He finished with 28 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds, hitting crucial mid-range jumpers and slashing through the Suns’ defense like a knife. His brother, Aaron Holiday, came off the bench and exploded for 22 points on 6-of-10 from deep, turning what was supposed to be a supporting role into a statement performance.

Center Alperen Sengun added 19 points and 11 rebounds, dominating the paint against Phoenix’s thin frontcourt. The Rockets outrebounded the Suns 54-41 — a shocking margin given Phoenix’s usual rebounding strength. And for the first time this season, Houston’s bench outscored their opponent’s: 43-28.

"They didn’t panic," said Ime Udoka, Houston’s head coach, after the game. "They knew this was their night. No excuses. No distractions. Just basketball. And they played like they owned it."

Phoenix’s Fragile Foundation

The Suns’ collapse wasn’t just about Durant’s absence — it was about what that absence exposed. Dillon Brooks, who had averaged 25 points over his last 10 games, led Phoenix with 29 points, but 17 of them came in the first half. In the second half, he went 3-for-11. The Suns’ offense, which had been fluid and dynamic, turned into isolation after isolation. Booker tried to carry them. He didn’t have help.

"It’s not about one guy," said Frank Vogel, Phoenix’s head coach. "It’s about who’s next. And tonight, the next guy didn’t show up. Not consistently. Not when it mattered."

And that’s the real issue. The Suns have spent the last three seasons building a brand around Durant’s elite scoring and Booker’s leadership. But when the system cracks — and it did — there’s no depth to fall back on. The bench averaged just 19.2 points per game this season. Against Houston? 14.

What This Means for the West

The win pushed the Houston Rockets to 11-4, moving them into 4th place in the Western Conference. The Suns dropped to 11-7, slipping to 6th — a position that could cost them home-court advantage come playoff time. More importantly, this game proved something the league had doubted: Houston isn’t just a young, flashy team. They’re a contender. And they don’t need Durant to beat the Suns.

"This wasn’t a fluke," said Robert Sarver, Suns’ governor, in a post-game statement. "It was a warning. We thought we had the depth. We were wrong. Now we have to fix it."

The Rockets’ next game? A road matchup against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. If they win, they’ll be tied for 3rd. If they lose? Still, they’ve shown they can win without a superstar.

Can They Do It Again?

The real question now isn’t whether the Rockets can beat the Suns. It’s whether they can beat the best — the Nuggets, the Timberwolves, the Lakers — without Durant on the other side. And the answer, after Monday night, is starting to look like yes.

For Phoenix? The clock is ticking. Durant’s return date is still unknown. Booker can’t carry them forever. And if they don’t find a spark from someone else — maybe Jalen Smith, or Mark Williams — their season could unravel faster than anyone expected.