Rockets comeback from 21 points to beat Suns 119-105

Kevin Durant (TechCrunch, Wikimedia Commons)

The Houston Rockets are playoff bound and one of the top six teams from the Western Conference in the 2026 National Basketball Association postseason. On Tuesday, the Rockets got some significant confidence as they prepare for the playoffs. In a 119-105 win over the Phoenix Suns at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona, the Rockets overcame a 28-7 first quarter deficit over the first six minutes and 53 seconds of the game, to outscore the Suns 112-77.

Seven Rockets reached double digits in points. Small forward and former Sun Kevin Durant led the Rockets with 24 points. Meanwhile, point guard Amen Thompson of San Leandro, California had 22 points, power forward Jabari Smith Jr. of Fayetteville, Georgia had 20 points, and four Rockets had 12 points. They were center Alperen Sengun of Giresun, Turkey and shooting guard Reed Sheppard of London, Kentucky in a starting role, and power forward Tari Eason of Portsmouth, Virginia and point guard Aaron Holiday of Ruston, Louisiana coming off the bench. Thompson and Sengun had double-doubles. Sengun had 14 rebounds and Thompson had 11 rebounds.

Houston had a strong second quarter and fourth quarter in the win. The Rockets outscored the Suns 33-20 I’m the second quarter and 38-21 in the fourth quarter.

With the win, the Rockets won their 50th game of the season. They now have a winning percentage of .633 and are tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for fourth place in the Western Conference. With the recent injuries facing the Lakers, it is not a surprise the two teams are moving in opposite directions. The Rockets have won seven straight and the Lakers have lost three straight.