Game ID: 22401088
Houston Rockets @ Phoenix Suns
Sunday, March 30, 2025 at 9:00 PM ET
PHX Arena, Phoenix, AZ
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
PHX 24 25 24 36 109HOU 32 46 34 36 148
HOU @ PHX ScoutingHOU @ PHX Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
PHX availability going into 3/21 · 1 day's restOUT Beal missed 2 since 3/17, out tonight
OUT Allen missed 5 since 3/12, out tonight
BACK Richards back 3/16 after 2, 20 min since (87% of 23)
BACK Ighodaro back 3/12 after 4, 26 min since (152% of 17)
BACK Morris back 3/17 after 16, 6 min since (43% of 13)
NEW Dunn 19 to 25 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 3/24 · 2 days' restOUT Beal missed 3 since 3/17, out tonight
OUT Allen missed 6 since 3/12, returns tonight: 12 min (49% of 24)
OUT Plumlee missed 2 since 3/19, out tonight
OUT Morris missed 2 since 3/19, out tonight
OUT Bol missed 2 since 3/19, out tonight
BACK Richards back 3/16 after 2, 20 min since (87% of 23)
NEW Dunn 19 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Ighodaro 17 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Gillespie 14 to 20 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 3/26 · 1 day's restOUT Beal missed 4 since 3/17, out tonight
OUT Plumlee missed 3 since 3/19, returns tonight: 11 min (61% of 18)
OUT Morris missed 3 since 3/19, returns tonight: 6 min (48% of 13)
OUT Bol missed 3 since 3/19, returns tonight: 6 min (51% of 12)
BACK Allen back 3/24 after 6, 12 min since (49% of 24)
BACK Richards back 3/16 after 2, 22 min since (97% of 23)
NEW Dunn 19 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Ighodaro 17 to 26 min over the last 5
NEW Gillespie 14 to 22 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 3/28 · 1 day's restOUT Beal missed 5 since 3/17, out tonight
BACK Allen back 3/24 after 6, 13 min since (54% of 24)
BACK Plumlee back 3/26 after 3, 11 min since (61% of 18)
BACK Morris back 3/17 after 16, 6 min since (46% of 13)
BACK Bol back 3/26 after 3, 6 min since (51% of 12)
NEW Dunn 19 to 26 min over the last 5
NEW Ighodaro 17 to 26 min over the last 5
NEW Gillespie 14 to 21 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 3/30 · 1 day's restOUT Beal missed 6 since 3/17, out tonight
BACK Allen back 3/24 after 6, 13 min since (53% of 24)
BACK Plumlee back 3/26 after 3, 11 min since (61% of 18)
BACK Morris back 3/26 after 3, 6 min since (48% of 13)
BACK Bol back 3/26 after 3, 6 min since (51% of 12)
NEW Dunn 19 to 26 min over the last 5
NEW Ighodaro 17 to 26 min over the last 5
NEW Gillespie 14 to 23 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 4/01 · 1 day's restOUT Beal missed 7 since 3/17, out tonight
BACK Allen back 3/24 after 6, 14 min since (59% of 24)
BACK Plumlee back 3/26 after 3, 11 min since (65% of 18)
BACK Morris back 3/26 after 3, 8 min since (62% of 13)
BACK Bol back 3/26 after 3, 8 min since (63% of 12)
NEW Ighodaro 17 to 26 min over the last 5
NEW Gillespie 14 to 22 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 4/04 · 2 days' restOUT Beal missed 8 since 3/17, returns tonight: 30 min (94% of 32)
BACK Allen back 3/24 after 6, 18 min since (75% of 24)
BACK Plumlee back 3/26 after 3, 11 min since (65% of 18)
BACK Morris back 3/26 after 3, 8 min since (62% of 13)
BACK Bol back 3/26 after 3, 8 min since (63% of 12)
NEW Gillespie 14 to 24 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 4/06 · 1 day's restOUT Plumlee missed 2 since 4/01, out tonight
OUT Morris missed 2 since 4/01, out tonight
BACK Beal back 4/04 after 8, 30 min since (94% of 32)
BACK Bol back 3/26 after 3, 6 min since (47% of 12)
NEW Ighodaro 17 to 23 min over the last 5
NEW Gillespie 14 to 23 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 4/08 · 1 day's restOUT Plumlee missed 3 since 4/01, returns tonight: 12 min (68% of 18)
OUT Morris missed 3 since 4/01, returns tonight: 7 min (53% of 13)
BACK Beal back 4/04 after 8, 32 min since (100% of 32)
NEW Dunn 19 to 25 min over the last 5
NEW Ighodaro 17 to 23 min over the last 5
NEW Gillespie 14 to 23 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 3/21 · 1 day's restOUT Thompson missed 6 since 3/10, returns tonight: 34 min (107% of 32)
OUT Whitmore missed 3 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 9 since 3/04, out tonight
OUT Sheppard missed 7 since 3/08, out tonight
BACK VanVleet back 3/12 after 5, 32 min since (90% of 36)
NEW Green 33 to 38 min over the last 5
NEW Eason 24 to 32 min over the last 4
HOU availability going into 3/23 · 1 day's restOUT Whitmore missed 4 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 10 since 3/04, out tonight
OUT Sheppard missed 8 since 3/08, out tonight
OUT Landale missed 2 since 3/19, out tonight
OUT Tate missed 2 since 3/19, out tonight
BACK Thompson back 3/21 after 6, 34 min since (107% of 32)
NEW Eason 24 to 32 min over the last 4
HOU availability going into 3/25 · 1 day's restOUT Whitmore missed 5 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 11 since 3/04, out tonight
OUT Holiday missed 2 since 3/21, returns tonight: 10 min (81% of 13)
OUT Sheppard missed 9 since 3/08, out tonight
OUT Landale missed 3 since 3/19, out tonight
OUT Jef. Green missed 2 since 3/21, out tonight
OUT Tate missed 3 since 3/19, out tonight
BACK Thompson back 3/21 after 6, 33 min since (103% of 32)
HOU availability going into 3/27 · 1 day's restOUT Whitmore missed 6 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 12 since 3/04, out tonight
OUT Sheppard missed 10 since 3/08, out tonight
OUT Landale missed 4 since 3/19, returns tonight: 14 min (115% of 12)
OUT Jef. Green missed 3 since 3/21, out tonight
OUT Tate missed 4 since 3/19, out tonight
BACK Thompson back 3/21 after 6, 33 min since (103% of 32)
BACK Holiday back 3/25 after 2, 10 min since (81% of 13)
NEW Green 33 to 38 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 3/30 · 2 days' restOUT Whitmore missed 7 since 3/15, returns tonight: 13 min (83% of 15)
OUT Dante missed 13 since 3/04, out tonight
OUT Sheppard missed 11 since 3/08, returns tonight: 12 min (99% of 12)
OUT Jef. Green missed 4 since 3/21, returns tonight: 10 min (84% of 12)
OUT Tate missed 5 since 3/19, returns tonight: 13 min (113% of 11)
BACK Thompson back 3/21 after 6, 32 min since (98% of 32)
BACK Holiday back 3/25 after 2, 11 min since (90% of 13)
BACK Landale back 3/27 after 4, 14 min since (115% of 12)
NEW Adams 15 to 23 min over the last 4
HOU availability going into 3/31 · back-to-backOUT Dante missed 14 since 3/04, out tonight
BACK Thompson back 3/21 after 6, 30 min since (92% of 32)
BACK Whitmore back 3/30 after 7, 13 min since (83% of 15)
BACK Holiday back 3/25 after 2, 14 min since (115% of 13)
BACK Sheppard back 3/30 after 11, 12 min since (99% of 12)
BACK Landale back 3/27 after 4, 15 min since (126% of 12)
BACK Jef. Green back 3/30 after 4, 10 min since (84% of 12)
BACK Tate back 3/30 after 5, 13 min since (113% of 11)
NEW Adams 15 to 20 min over the last 4
HOU availability going into 4/02 · 1 day's restOUT Dante missed 15 since 3/04, out tonight
BACK Whitmore back 3/30 after 7, 13 min since (83% of 15)
BACK Holiday back 3/25 after 2, 14 min since (115% of 13)
BACK Sheppard back 3/30 after 11, 12 min since (99% of 12)
BACK Landale back 3/27 after 4, 15 min since (126% of 12)
BACK Jef. Green back 3/30 after 4, 10 min since (84% of 12)
BACK Tate back 3/30 after 5, 13 min since (113% of 11)
HOU availability going into 4/04 · 1 day's restOUT Dante missed 16 since 3/04, out tonight
BACK Whitmore back 3/30 after 7, 12 min since (81% of 15)
BACK Holiday back 3/25 after 2, 14 min since (113% of 13)
BACK Sheppard back 3/30 after 11, 10 min since (87% of 12)
BACK Landale back 3/27 after 4, 16 min since (140% of 12)
BACK Jef. Green back 3/30 after 4, 8 min since (71% of 12)
BACK Tate back 3/30 after 5, 12 min since (110% of 11)
HOU availability going into 4/06 · 1 day's restOUT Dante missed 17 since 3/04, out tonight
BACK Whitmore back 3/30 after 7, 9 min since (56% of 15)
BACK Sheppard back 3/30 after 11, 7 min since (60% of 12)
BACK Landale back 3/27 after 4, 16 min since (140% of 12)
BACK Jef. Green back 3/30 after 4, 8 min since (71% of 12)
BACK Tate back 3/30 after 5, 13 min since (117% of 11)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 119, shooting 48 percent and 40 from three, 16 free throws a game; Durant at 32 and Booker at 20 a game. Without Beal (6 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 109, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 27 free throws a game; Green at 23 and Sengun at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Whitmore (7 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the line, where Houston takes 27 free throws a game to Phoenix's 16 and the glass, where Houston has been plus-9 a night and Phoenix plus-1. Call it Houston 114, Phoenix 113, Phoenix keeping it close.
3/21 vs CLE 123-112 — PHX notes
PHX won 123-112. PHX shot 52% (48 of 92) to CLE's 45%, 19 of 42 from three, and got to the line 8 times to CLE's 14. Durant led with 42 (17 of 29, 4 of 9 from three); Booker added 17, Jones 16. The hinge was Q2, 27-17: a lead of 1 became 11, and the lead reached 21. Ighodaro was the night's best plus/minus at +15.
3/24 vs MIL 108-106 — PHX notes
PHX won 108-106. PHX shot 48% (39 of 82) to MIL's 45%, 14 of 36 from three, and got to the line 18 times to MIL's 29. PHX turned it over 16 times to MIL's 7, and MIL turned those into 12 steals. The glass went 52-36 for them. Durant led with 38 (11 of 21, 7 of 9 from three, 9 of 10 at the line); Booker added 19, Dunn 12. The hinge was Q3, 27-20: PHX came in trailing by 4 and left it ahead by 3. PHX trailed 54-58 at the half and won the second half 54-48. Booker was the night's best plus/minus at +13.
3/26 vs BOS 102-132 — PHX notes
PHX lost 102-132. PHX shot 41% (36 of 87) to BOS's 51%, 13 of 41 from three. The glass went 38-48 against them. Durant led with 30 (11 of 16, 3 of 4 from three); Booker added 14, Richards 10. Q4 was theirs, 21-24, but the other 3 periods went 108-81 against them. Booker's -33 in 34 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/28 @ MIN 109-124 — PHX notes
PHX lost 109-124. PHX shot 52% (41 of 79) to MIN's 53%, 18 of 37 from three. PHX turned it over 16 times to MIN's 11, and MIN turned those into 12 steals. Durant led with 23 (7 of 19, 3 of 6 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Gillespie added 22, O'Neale 21. Q4 was theirs, 34-32, the deficit cut from 17 to 15, but the other 3 periods went 92-75 against them. Booker's -20 in 39 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/30 vs HOU 109-148 — PHX notes
PHX lost 109-148. PHX shot 48% (42 of 87) to HOU's 57%, 10 of 32 from three, and got to the line 17 times to HOU's 25. PHX turned it over 19 times to HOU's 9, and HOU turned those into 14 steals. Booker led with 28 (12 of 17, 1 of 4 from three); Durant added 11, Morris 10. Q4 was theirs, 36-36, but the other 3 periods went 112-73 against them. Durant's -28 in 23 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/01 @ MIL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Milwaukee comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 121, shooting 50 percent and 38 from three, 25 free throws a game; Antetokounmpo at 31 and Kuzma at 17 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Lillard (6 straight), Portis (21 straight). One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 124, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 15 free throws a game; Durant at 29 and Booker at 18 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Beal (7 straight). One day's rest.
So: Milwaukee wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Phoenix has been minus-1 a night and Milwaukee minus-9 and the line, where Milwaukee takes 25 free throws a game to Phoenix's 15. Call it Milwaukee 118, Phoenix 114, Phoenix keeping it close.
4/04 @ BOS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Boston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 107, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 19 free throws a game; Tatum at 24 and Porziņģis at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 129, shooting 47 percent and 38 from three, 18 free throws a game; Durant at 26 and Booker at 22 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Beal (8 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Boston wins, and the game turns on the defense, Boston allowing 107 a night to Phoenix's 129 and the glass, where Boston has been plus-9 a night and Phoenix minus-1. Call it Boston 121, Phoenix 109, Boston by 12.
4/06 @ NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 104, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 18 free throws a game; Anunoby at 27 and Towns at 20 a game. Without Brunson (15 straight), McBride (8 straight), Robinson (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Phoenix comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 132, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 17 free throws a game; Booker at 26 and Durant at 21 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Plumlee (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the defense, New York allowing 104 a night to Phoenix's 132 and the glass, where New York has been plus-3 a night and Phoenix minus-6. Call it New York 120, Phoenix 109, New York by 11.
4/08 vs GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 128, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 16 free throws a game; Booker at 31 and Allen at 11 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Plumlee (3 straight). One day's rest. Golden State comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 111, shooting 48 percent and 42 from three, 21 free throws a game; Curry at 28 and Podziemski at 22 a game. One day's rest.
So: Golden State wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Golden State allowing 111 a night to Phoenix's 128 and the glass, where Golden State has been plus-4 a night and Phoenix minus-5. Call it Golden State 120, Phoenix 112.
3/21 @ MIA 102-98 — HOU notes
HOU won 102-98. HOU shot 46% (39 of 84) to MIA's 52%, 14 of 28 from three, and went to the line 21 times to MIA's 14 — 10 points from the stripe to their 12. HOU turned it over 15 times to MIA's 20. The glass went 46-34 for them. VanVleet led with 37 (13 of 17, 9 of 11 from three); Thompson added 18, Brooks 11. The hinge was Q3, 27-21: the deficit went from 8 to 2. HOU trailed 51-59 at the half and won the second half 51-39. Thompson was the night's best plus/minus at +20.
3/23 vs DEN 111-116 — HOU notes
HOU lost 111-116. HOU shot 44% (39 of 89) to DEN's 51%, 11 of 34 from three, and went to the line 34 times to DEN's 26 — 22 points from the stripe to their 18. Green led with 30 (8 of 22, 3 of 12 from three, 11 of 14 at the line); Brooks added 21, Sengun 17. Q4 was theirs, 32-20, the deficit cut from 17 to 5, but the other 3 periods went 96-79 against them.
3/25 vs ATL 121-114 — HOU notes
HOU won 121-114. HOU shot 45% (42 of 93) to ATL's 42%, 11 of 39 from three, and went to the line 29 times to ATL's 15 — 26 points from the stripe to their 13. Green led with 32 (14 of 24, 1 of 7 from three); VanVleet added 21, Sengun 18. The hinge was Q2, 35-25: a lead of 7 became 17, and the lead reached 25. Adams was the night's best plus/minus at +19.
3/27 @ UTA 121-110 — HOU notes
HOU won 121-110. HOU shot 46% (47 of 102) to UTA's 54%, 12 of 37 from three. HOU turned it over 9 times to UTA's 16. The glass went 51-33 for them. Sengun led with 33 (11 of 19, 11 of 13 at the line); Green added 21, Eason 15. The hinge was Q3, 36-29: a lead of 2 became 9, and the lead reached 15. Sengun was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
3/30 @ PHX 148-109 — HOU notes
HOU won 148-109. HOU shot 57% (56 of 98) to PHX's 48%, 18 of 31 from three, and went to the line 25 times to PHX's 17 — 18 points from the stripe to their 15. HOU turned it over 9 times to PHX's 19. Ja. Green led with 33 (9 of 17, 4 of 5 from three, 11 of 13 at the line); Sengun added 16, VanVleet 13. The hinge was Q2, 46-25: a lead of 8 became 29, and the lead reached 42. Smith Jr. was the night's best plus/minus at +33.
3/31 @ LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 126, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 24 free throws a game; Dončić at 31 and Reaves at 26 a game. Without Morris (4 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 109, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 26 free throws a game; Green at 24 and Sengun at 18 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-9 a night and the Lakers minus-2 and the defense, Houston allowing 109 a night to the Lakers' 126. Call it Houston 116, the Lakers 115, the Lakers keeping it close.
4/02 vs UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 111, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; Green at 25 and Sengun at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. One day's rest. Utah comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 124, shooting 42 percent and 31 from three, 19 free throws a game; Sexton at 16 and Filipowski at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Collins (10 straight), Kessler (2 straight), Clarkson (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-8 a night and Utah minus-10 and the defense, Houston allowing 111 a night to Utah's 124. Call it Houston 121, Utah 106, Houston by 15.
4/04 vs OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 108, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; Green at 23 and Sengun at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 13 a night. One day's rest. OKC comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 128 a night and allowing 108, shooting 50 percent and 46 from three, 25 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 32 and Jal. Williams at 21 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Wiggins (5 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the arc, OKC at 46 percent from three to Houston's 38 and the glass, where Houston has been plus-13 a night and OKC plus-7. Call it Houston 116, OKC 115, OKC keeping it close.
4/06 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Golden State comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 109, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 25 free throws a game; Curry at 32 and Podziemski at 20 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 108, shooting 50 percent and 41 from three, 21 free throws a game; Green at 24 and Sengun at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 14 a night. One day's rest.
So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-14 a night and Golden State plus-5. Call it Golden State 116, Houston 114, Houston keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
PHXBB B. Bol
CG C. Gillespie
CM C. Martin
DB D. Booker
DL D. Lee
GA G. Allen
KD K. Durant
MM M. Morris
MP M. Plumlee
NR N. Richards
OI O. Ighodaro
RD R. Dunn
RO R. O'Neale
TJ T. Jones
VM V. Micić
HOUAH A. Holiday
AS A. Sengun
AT A. Thompson
CW C. Whitmore
DB D. Brooks
FV F. VanVleet
JG J. Green
JL J. Landale
JS J. Smith Jr.
JT J. Tate
JG Ja. Green
RS R. Sheppard
SA S. Adams
PHX/HOU the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Rockets rout Suns 148-109 as Phoenix star Durant leaves with ankle injury
PHOENIX -- — Jalen Green scored 33 points for Houston, and Phoenix star Kevin Durant left with an ankle injury in the Rockets' 148-109 romp over the Suns on Sunday night.
Durant fell to the floor with 6:57 left in the third quarter after he stepped on Rockets Jabari Smith Jr.‘s foot. Durant got to his feet, but could not put weight on his left leg. Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said Durant will have an MRI on Monday and will not accompany the team to Milwaukee for a game Tuesday night.
Durant finished with 11 points in 23 minutes, but the Rockets were already well ahead, having taken a 78-49 lead at halftime. Houston (49-26) has won 12 of its last 13 and is second in the Western Conference standings, two games ahead of Denver.
Alperen Sengun had 16 points and nine rebounds and rookie Amen Thompson had 12 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists for the Rockets. Neither played in the fourth quarter as Houston led by 42 points.
Devin Booker scored 28 points for the Suns, who fell two games behind Dallas for the final play-in spot in the West with six games remaining. It was Phoenix’s third loss in a row.
Rockets forward Dillon Brooks was ejected i n the second quarter after a brief shoving match with Durant. He was assessed two technical fouls while Durant and Nick Richards each received one.
Takeaways Rockets: The Rockets are 12-4 in March with a game remaining.
Suns: Own the tiebreaker against the Mavericks based on winning the season series from Dallas. But with or without Durant, five of their last six games are against playoff teams.
Key moment After Brooks’ ejection, Houston outscored Phoenix 23-11 the rest of the half to lead by 29 at the break.
Key stat Phoenix committed 19 turnovers leading to 34 Houston points.
Up next The Rockets are at the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night. The Suns are at Milwaukee on Tuesday night.