{"id":520561,"date":"2026-01-06T16:55:13","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T16:55:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/520561\/"},"modified":"2026-01-06T16:55:13","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T16:55:13","slug":"kevin-durant-gets-his-revenge-as-clutch-dagger-sinks-the-suns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/520561\/","title":{"rendered":"Kevin Durant Gets His Revenge as Clutch Dagger Sinks the Suns"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are regular wins, and then there are wins that carry weight well beyond the final buzzer. On Monday night in Houston, Kevin Durant<\/a> delivered the latter. With 1.1 seconds remaining, Durant buried a deep three-pointer to lift the Houston Rockets to a 100\u201397 victory over the Phoenix Suns, completing a moment that blended elite execution with unmistakable emotion.<\/p>\n

The shot did not simply secure another win. It cemented a personal statement that had been building since Durant\u2019s departure from Phoenix.<\/p>\n

The victory at Toyota Center also pushed Houston to a perfect 3\u20130 record against the Suns this season, reinforcing the Rockets\u2019 growing confidence<\/a> while underscoring the symbolism of Durant\u2019s first clutch showdown against his former franchise.<\/p>\n

Kevin Durant Gets His Revenge as Clutch Dagger Sinks the Suns<\/p>\n

Durant\u2019s stat line told a story of persistence. He finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, but the path there was anything but smooth. For most of the night, his three-point shot refused to cooperate.<\/p>\n

Durant missed nine of his first ten attempts from beyond the arc, a stretch that would cause many players to retreat from the moment. Instead, he stayed aggressive, trusted the process and waited for the opportunity that mattered most.<\/p>\n

That moment arrived after Devin Booker<\/a> missed a potential go-ahead three and Phoenix failed to score on its final possession. With the game tied and the clock winding down, Houston put the ball in Durant\u2019s hands. He rose confidently from deep, releasing a 27-foot attempt that never hesitated. The shot fell cleanly, silencing any remaining doubt and sending Toyota Center into celebration.<\/p>\n

For a Rockets team that has struggled at times in late-game execution, the sight of Durant calmly deciding the outcome carried enormous significance. It was precisely the reason Houston pursued him, and precisely the moment Phoenix now had to watch from the opposite side.<\/p>\n

The Emotional Weight Behind Durant\u2019s Response<\/p>\n

The game carried a personal edge that Durant did not attempt to hide. His relationship with Phoenix ended painfully in the summer of 2025, following a seven-team trade that moved him to Houston.<\/p>\n

Durant had joined the Suns<\/a> in February 2023 with championship expectations, made multiple All-Star appearances and invested deeply in the organization and the Arizona community. Yet the results never matched the ambition. Phoenix exited early in the playoffs during the 2023\u201324 season and failed to reach the postseason the following year.<\/p>\n

Durant later described the separation as one he did not want, explaining that being pushed out left a lasting impression. After the game, he acknowledged the added motivation he feels when facing the Suns. He emphasized respect for the players still wearing Phoenix jerseys, while also admitting that competing against a former employer fuels his drive.<\/p>\n

Talk your sh*t, Kevin Durant\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cPhoenix was a place I didn\u2019t want to leave and my first time being kicked out of a place\u2026 I felt like I had been scapegoated for issues we had as a team last year, so yeah it felt good to hit a game winning shot.\u201d<\/p>\n

(via @mshap2<\/a>, @Fullcourtpass<\/a>) pic.twitter.com\/q2hGEr8aaq<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

For Durant, the night represented an opportunity to prove that he still belongs among the league\u2019s elite and that his departure did not define his value.<\/p>\n

That mindset showed itself in the closing seconds. Kevin Durant\u2019s revenge against Suns was quiet, efficient and decisive, mirroring the professionalism that has defined his career.<\/p>\n

A Statement Win for Houston and a Reminder for Phoenix<\/p>\n

Beyond the emotional layer, the victory mattered in the standings and in perception. Houston has now won five of its last six games<\/a> and continues to look increasingly comfortable with Durant as its late-game focal point. Amen Thompson<\/a> and Jabari Smith Jr.<\/a> added 17 points apiece, providing balance that allowed Durant to operate without forcing shots.<\/p>\n

The performance also added another entry to Durant\u2019s remarkable scoring resume. Through 30 games with Houston, he has scored 771 points, the highest total by any player aged 35 or older<\/a> in their first 30 games with a new team. The only other player to approach that mark was Michael Jordan<\/a> during his time with the Washington Wizards, a comparison that speaks volumes about Durant\u2019s sustained excellence at age 37.<\/p>\n

For Phoenix, the loss served as a reminder of what they let go. Devin Booker led the Suns with 27 points, but his final attempt to force overtime missed, closing the door on a night that once again belonged to Durant.<\/p>\n

The story of Kevin Durant\u2019s revenge against the Suns may fade as the season progresses, yet this moment will endure. It captured everything that makes Durant unique: resilience, confidence and the ability to rise above frustration when the game demands it. On a night defined by emotion, he delivered with cold precision, reminding both franchises exactly who he still is.<\/p>\n

\u00a9 Thomas Shea-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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