Kevin Durant's Clutch Three Lifts Rockets Over Suns, 100-97

In a dramatic finish that felt like a Hollywood script, Kevin Durant delivered a crushing blow to his former team. The Houston Rockets superstar sank a deep 27-foot three-pointer with only 1.1 seconds on the clock, securing a nail-biting 100-97 win over the Phoenix Suns on Monday night (Tuesday, January 6, 2026, Philippine time).

A Storybook Ending for Durant

This marked Durant's first game against the Suns since the blockbuster summer trade that sent him to Houston in exchange for Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green. He finished the night with a team-high 26 points, but none were bigger than the final three that broke a 97-97 tie. The Suns had a chance to take the lead on their previous possession, but Devin Booker missed a three-point attempt, and the shot clock expired with 5.1 seconds remaining. After Durant's clutch shot, Booker's last-second attempt to force overtime rattled off the rim.

Rockets Weather Late Suns Surge

The victory did not come easily for Houston. The Rockets held a seven-point lead late in the fourth quarter before Devin Booker, who led all scorers with 27 points, ignited a 10-0 run to give Phoenix a 97-94 advantage with just two and a half minutes left. Houston's offense had gone cold, enduring a field goal drought of nearly four and a half minutes. The drought ended when Amen Thompson converted a crucial three-point play with under two minutes to go, tying the game and setting the stage for Durant's heroics.

Houston received vital support from its young core. Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. each contributed 17 points, helping the Rockets secure their fifth win in their last six games. For the Suns, Dillon Brooks added 15 points in the losing effort, which snapped their two-game winning streak.