Kevin Durant became just the eighth player in NBA history to score 31,000 career points, and Friday’s big night against the Suns lifted Houston (15-5) to No. 2 in the Western Conference standings.
HOUSTON — The Rockets wrapped up a brief two-game homestand at Toyota Center with Friday’s 117-98 blowout victory (box score) over the Phoenix Suns. Kevin Durant was the clear headliner, both for scoring 28 points in only three quarters and in becoming just the eighth player in NBA history to exceed 31,000 career points.
In his first game facing his former team since the June 2025 trade that sent him to Houston, Durant connected on an extremely efficient 11-of-17 shots (64.7%), including 2-of-2 from 3-point range. He also added 8 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals in his 32 minutes.
With the win, Houston (15-5) rose to No. 2 in the Western Conference standings, while Phoenix (13-10) remains at No. 7. While most of the 2025-26 season remains, the current placements could lead to an eventual first-round matchup in the 2026 playoffs.
Friday’s victory nudged the Rockets slightly ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers (16-6), who lost big in Boston.
Other key statistics included:
Amen Thompson: Game-high 31 points, 4 rebounds; 12-of-17 shooting (70.6%), 6-of-6 free throws, +33 in 32 minutesJabari Smith Jr.: 16 points, 2 assists; 5-of-8 shooting (62.5%), 5-of-5 on free throwsReed Sheppard: 10 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds; 4-of-11 shooting (36.4%), 2-of-7 on 3-pointers (28.6%)Dillon Brooks (Suns): 23 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds; 10-of-24 shooting (41.7%), 0-of-4 on 3-pointers
Houston held Phoenix to just 5-of-36 shooting (13.9%) from 3-point range, while the Rockets had double the makes (10) on exactly half the attempts (18, or 55.6%). For the season, Houston remains No. 2 in the league in defensive rating.
Both teams were short-handed among expected rotation players, with the Suns missing both Devin Booker (groin strain) and Jalen Green (hamstring strain) and the Rockets without Alperen Sengun (illness). Houston remains without Tari Eason (oblique strain) and veterans Dorian Finney-Smith and Fred VanVleet, with the latter two having each undergone an offseason leg surgery.
Friday’s game was the opener of a back-to-back for the Rockets, who have another game looming Saturday in Dallas. On night two of a back-to-back earlier this week, Houston suffered an upset loss at Utah.
Then again, Dallas will also be on its own back-to-back, having played at Oklahoma City late Friday night.
Saturday’s tipoff versus the Mavericks (8-15) is at 7:30 p.m. Central, and the game will be televised regionally on Space City Home Network and nationally via NBA League Pass.
Kevin Durant talks what passing 31000 points means to him
“It means a lot. Grateful I am still here in the league at this age playing and contributing to a team.” pic.twitter.com/8Rk0DSwRsA
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) December 6, 2025
Vanessa Richardson: “If I had told the kid growing up from PG County, Maryland that he would be accomplishing all this [31,000 points], what would he have said?”
KD: “I’d have said, ‘Damn right!'” pic.twitter.com/qNSiVmxj9W
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) December 6, 2025