Rockets Defeat Suns Without Kevin Durant, End Phoenix's Win Streak

The Houston Rockets (11-4) began their four-game road trip with a notable win against the Phoenix Suns (11-7). The absence of Kevin Durant, who was traded to Houston from Phoenix, loomed large, but Amen Thompson stepped up to lead the team with 28 points. Aaron Holiday added 22 points off the bench, hitting 6 of 10 from 3-point range.

The Suns, playing the second game of a back-to-back, struggled with turnovers, allowing the Rockets to capitalize with 26 points. Dillon Brooks, who was part of the Durant trade, led the Suns with 29 points, while Devin Booker added 18 points on 5-of-13 shooting. However, key players like Mark Williams, Jalen Green, Grayson Allen, and Ryan Dunn were also out due to injuries, further impacting the Suns' performance.

Rockets coach Ime Udoka praised Dillon Brooks for his passion and intensity, noting that Brooks brings an edge to every game. The Rockets' ability to exploit the Suns' turnovers and the strong performance of their role players were key to their success in this matchup. Phoenix coach noted Grayson Allen's injury as a factor in the Suns' defeat.

Kevin Durant missed the game due to personal reasons.

Dillon Brooks scored 29 points for the Phoenix Suns.

The Suns struggled with turnovers, allowing the Rockets to score 26 points off 20 turnovers.

What are your thoughts on the Rockets' performance without Kevin Durant? Do you think this win indicates a shift in the balance of power in the Western Conference? Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!