The Houston Rockets didn’t need Kevin Durant to beat the Phoenix Suns. On November 24, 2025Footprint Center, they dominated 114-92 in a performance that left fans stunned — and Suns fans quietly furious. Point guard Amen Thompson dropped 28 points, while bench sparkplug Aaron Holiday added 22 off the pine, turning what was expected to be a close contest into a statement win. The Rockets, now 11-4, moved into sole possession of second place in the Western Conference, just behind the Los Angeles Lakers (12-4). The Suns? They fell to 11-7, their first loss in three games, and now face growing questions about life without Durant.
What Happened When Durant Sat Out?
Kevin Durant didn’t play. Not because of injury — he was listed as questionable but healthy — but because the Suns chose to rest him in the second game of a back-to-back. That decision, while common in the NBA, backfired spectacularly. Without their two-time MVP, Phoenix’s offense sputtered. They scored just 17 points in the fourth quarter — their lowest output of the season — and looked lost without their go-to scorer. The Rockets, meanwhile, attacked relentlessly. They outscored the Suns 18-4 in transition, turning Phoenix’s missed shots and turnovers into fast-break baskets. "They didn’t have a guy named Kevin Durant playing," said Jabari Smith after the game, his tone dry, almost mocking. "Maybe you’ve heard of him." The line went viral within minutes.The Rockets’ Balanced Attack
Houston didn’t win because of one superstar. They won because they played like a team that finally clicked. Amen Thompson, who struggled early in the season, looked like an All-Star candidate: driving hard, finishing through contact, and dishing out six assists. Aaron Holiday was brilliant off the bench — hitting floaters, bank shots, and even drawing fouls on defenders who couldn’t keep up. "He’s got that left-hand touch," one analyst noted on the postgame show. "It’s like he’s painting with his fingers." The starting five — Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Josh Okogie, Smith, and Alperen Sengun — combined for 89 points. Sengun added 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Sheppard hit three threes. Houston shot 41.7% from deep, connecting on 13 of 31 attempts. Even their defense, often criticized, held Phoenix to 38% shooting overall. They didn’t need to out-rebound the Suns (51-50) — they just needed to move faster.
Phoenix’s Cracks Are Showing
The Suns have been one of the most consistent teams in the West, but this loss exposed vulnerabilities. Devin Booker, who finished with 21 points, looked frustrated. Jordan Goodwin and Dillon Brooks combined for just 10 points on 3-of-15 shooting. Nick Richards, the starting center, was outplayed by Sengun in the paint. And without Durant, their late-game execution vanished. "We didn’t have a Plan B," admitted coach Frank Vogel after the game. "We leaned too hard on one guy." The back-to-back schedule didn’t help. Phoenix had played in Sacramento the night before, arriving in Phoenix just hours before tip-off. But the Rockets, coming off a rest day, looked sharper, hungrier, and more disciplined. They didn’t panic when Phoenix cut the lead to five in the third. They responded with a 10-0 run — capped by a Holiday step-back three — and never looked back.What This Means for the West Race
The Rockets’ win was more than just a victory. It was a signal. They’re now one of the most dangerous teams in the West — not because of star power, but because of chemistry. Coach Ime Udoka has turned them into a machine: fast, unselfish, and lethal from deep. They’re 5-1 on the road this season and have won seven of their last eight. Meanwhile, the Suns, who were expected to challenge for the top seed, now trail the Lakers by three games and the Spurs by one. The West is a bloodbath — but Houston just made it a lot more interesting.
What’s Next? The Schedule Gets Tougher
The Rockets’ next game is Sunday, December 1, 2025 — right after Thanksgiving. According to a leaked internal memo cited by the team’s blog, a matchup against the Golden State Warriors is likely to be added to the schedule in Houston that week. That would be a huge draw — and a true test. The Warriors, sitting at 9-6, are surging with Steph Curry back in rhythm. If Houston can beat them, they’ll be in serious contention for the No. 1 seed.For now, though, the message is clear: the Rockets aren’t just a surprise. They’re a threat. And they don’t need stars like Durant to win. They just need to play like they did on November 24 — fast, fearless, and together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why didn’t Kevin Durant play for the Suns?
Kevin Durant was rested by the Suns for the second game of a back-to-back, despite being healthy. The team cited load management as the reason, a common strategy in the NBA to preserve star players during tight schedules. His absence exposed Phoenix’s lack of offensive depth, as they scored just 17 points in the fourth quarter without him.
How has Amen Thompson improved this season?
After a slow start with low efficiency, Amen Thompson has become the engine of the Rockets’ offense. His scoring average jumped from 12.1 to 20.8 points per game over the last 10 contests. He’s now averaging 6.3 assists and shooting 47% from the field. Analysts credit his improved decision-making and aggressive drives to the rim — traits that made him a top-5 pick in 2023.
What’s the significance of the Rockets’ 41% three-point shooting?
Shooting over 41% from deep is elite — only five teams in the NBA averaged that rate last season. The Rockets are doing it consistently, with six players hitting at least 38% from three. This spacing forces defenses to cover the entire floor, opening driving lanes for Thompson and Sengun. It’s a hallmark of Ime Udoka’s system: prioritize movement, not isolation.
Could the Rockets challenge the Lakers for the top seed?
Absolutely. The Lakers lead the West at 12-4, but their schedule gets harder: six of their next eight are on the road. The Rockets have the second-easiest remaining schedule in the conference and face the Lakers twice in January. If Houston maintains their current pace, they could overtake LA by mid-December — especially if Durant remains inconsistent without his supporting cast.
Is the Rockets-Warriors game confirmed for December?
It’s not officially scheduled yet, but multiple sources, including the Rockets’ internal communications blog, confirm a game against Golden State is being added to the schedule in the second week of December. The league often adds marquee matchups for TV ratings, and this one — with Curry and Thompson — would be a major draw for Hulu and Peacock.
Why did Jabari Smith make that comment about Kevin Durant?
Smith’s remark was a pointed, humorous jab at the narrative that the Suns were somehow "robbed" by Durant’s absence. He was highlighting that Houston won because of their own execution — not because Phoenix was missing a star. It was a subtle reminder that NBA games are won by teams, not just superstars — and the Rockets are proving they’re one of those teams.
