The Suns never really found their rhythm against a supremely sharp Houston team, and despite some solid individual efforts, the Suns fall 117-98. Offensively, the numbers speak for themselves: 39% overall shooting and just 14% from deep, with 15 offensive rebounds that never translated into second-chance points. Ball movement was far from fluid, too, with only 14 assists. Meanwhile, 21 turnovers and 12 steals forced by Phoenix highlighted the relentless defensive pressure.
Individually, Dillon Brooks led the way with 23 points, supported by Bouyea’s 18, but it wasn’t enough to match Houston’s firepower. Kevin Durant scored 28 points, while Amen Thompson was unstoppable with 31, showcasing just how difficult it was to contain their versatile attack.
The final score, 98–117, reflects Houston’s dominance. Phoenix fought hard, but offensive inefficiency and turnovers made the difference, keeping the Suns below 100 points and struggling to stay in the rhythm of a game that quickly slipped away.
As if by fate, Dillon Brooks and Josh Okogie hit the first two baskets. Both teams quickly locked in: physical, intense, attacks on point, defenses not backing down. After four minutes, it was still neck-and-neck, 8–8.
With five minutes left, nothing had changed. No easy baskets, every contact audible, every shot contested, every rebound fought for. Pure, intense basketball. Suns stayed ahead, 17–15.
Meanwhile, Brooks looked determined not to lose again against his former team: 14 points in the opening quarter. The quarter ended as it began — impactful and intense — but the bench energy, especially Ryan Dunn with 4 rebounds and 2 steals, gave Phoenix a boost. Suns led by seven: 31–24.
Early in Q2, Jamaree Bouyea, Collin Gillespie, and Nigel Hayes-Davis created a small cushion with three layups for the first two, an interception for Nigel, and Phoenix jumped to +9. Udoka had to call a timeout; his second unit was struggling, and in such a high-intensity game, nine points started to feel heavy.
Still, a Bouyea (7 points) vs Durant (11 points) duel emerged. Our number 17 kept the line steady while Houston accelerated. After six minutes, the Rockets regained control, 46–44.
Things got worse fast. The Suns called another timeout in just two minutes. They were giving up points too easily. Houston shot 13/17; the defense disappeared, and Phoenix struggled to score. A 17–4 run later, the Rockets led by eight, 54–46. Kevin Durant dropped 17 points in the quarter, and Houston shot an absurd 60% overall, 55% from three. Entering halftime, the Suns were down by 10, and honestly, they almost survived.
Houston kept up the pressure. Amen Thompson found too many open dunks. Jordan Ott called a timeout immediately after a 6–0 run at the start of the second half. Rockets pulled away, 74–58.
Devin Booker’s absence was felt. Shots weren’t falling, options were limited, yet Phoenix wasn’t playing badly. Just unlucky—especially from deep: 3/20 at one point. Still, the Suns stayed in it, albeit barely, 11 points down after five minutes.
Possessions repeated and failed: good ball movement, smart plays, shots bouncing off the rim. Houston surged. 82–65. Three-point shooting at 12%. Durant extended the lead beyond 20, then 25. Heading into Q4, it was 97–72.
Bouyea remained a bright spot. He was dynamic, fearless, taking responsibility in a tough game, 11 points in just ten minutes. Thompson hit 30+ points, with both his season-highs against Phoenix. With eight minutes left, the score was 110–80, garbage time officially underway.
Suns battled with effort and heart, but sub-40% shooting against this level of opposition is a mountain too steep.
After this tough loss, the Suns will have the weekend to reset before facing a revenge-minded Wolves squad in Minneapolis this Monday.