Kevin Durant delivered an emotive game-winning shot against the Phoenix Suns on Monday night.
The Houston Rockets beat the Phoenix Suns 100–97 in overtime after Durant hit the game-winning three, sealing the result with seconds remaining.
The basket launched the Toyota Center into a wild celebration and drew a big reaction from the Rockets bench.
Durant finished the night to MVP chants as he walked off the floor, having decided the game against the franchise that traded him last season.
Durant addresses Suns’ exit
After the game, Durant spoke openly about his departure from Phoenix and made clear the decision was not his.
“A place I didn’t want to leave and my first time being,” Durant said. “I don’t want to sound too dramatic but I will, I was kicked out of a place.”
The forward said he wanted to remain with the Suns and felt the organisation moved on without him.
The Suns explored trading Durant at the 2025 deadline and completed the deal later that season. Durant has since said publicly that he hoped to stay in Phoenix.
‘I been scapegoated’
Durant said the emotions surrounding the game tied directly to how last season ended.
“It felt like I been scapegoated for the issues we had as a team last year,” Durant said. “So yeah, it felt good to hit a game-winning shot.”
He added that playing against a former team brings a different edge.
“You play with a little chip on your shoulder against your former team,” Durant said. “Especially when they trade you.”
Durant has changed teams multiple times during his career, but he said this exit felt different because he did not initiate it.
Suns left with familiar questions
Phoenix endured a turbulent final season with Durant, marked by uneven chemistry and constant questions around leadership and direction.
Since Durant’s departure, the Suns have shown improved balance under new head coach Jordan Ott, a shift that has drawn praise around the NBA.
Durant doesn’t buy that narrative. He insists Phoenix made him the fall guy for last season’s problems, then he backed it up the only way he can, with a game-winning three.
