NBA: Rockets escape 21-point hole, down Suns to tie for 4th in West

The Houston Rockets staged a stunning comeback on Tuesday night, rallying from a 21-point deficit to defeat the Phoenix Suns, 119-105, in Kevin Durant’s return to Phoenix.

Kevin Durant led the way with 24 points, including five 3-pointers, as Houston erased an early deficit and took control late in the game. Amen Thompson delivered an all-around performance with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists, while Jabari Smith Jr. added 20 points and knocked down five shots from beyond the arc.

The victory marked the Rockets’ seventh straight win and their ninth in the last 11 games. With a 50-29 record, Houston is now tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for fourth place in the Western Conference, trailing the Denver Nuggets by just one game with three remaining. The Lakers hold the tiebreaker advantage over both teams.

Devin Booker paced the Suns with 31 points and eight assists, while Mark Williams contributed 19 points and eight rebounds. Phoenix (43-36) started strong, using a 24-0 run in the first quarter to build a commanding 26-5 lead, but struggled to maintain momentum.

The loss, combined with a win by the Minnesota Timberwolves, secured Minnesota the sixth and final guaranteed playoff spot in the West. The Suns, meanwhile, will have to fight through the play-in tournament to keep their postseason hopes alive.

Houston seized control in the fourth quarter, opening the period with a decisive 30-12 run to take a 111-96 advantage. Phoenix was unable to close the gap to fewer than 10 points the rest of the way.

The Rockets also completed a dominant sweep of the four-game season series against the Suns and have now won eight consecutive meetings between the teams.

Houston shot 45 percent from the field and dominated the glass with a 55-34 rebounding edge, converting 24 offensive rebounds into 37 second-chance points. Alperen Sengun added 12 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists despite battling foul trouble.

Phoenix found success at the free-throw line, converting 34 of 39 attempts — both season highs — but shot just 42.7 percent from the field. Booker went 15 of 16 from the line, while Williams finished 5 of 6.

Tensions flared in a physical second quarter, as Durant exchanged words with Dillon Brooks. Both Booker and Houston’s Jae'Sean Tate were assessed technical fouls during the period. Durant scored 11 points in the quarter, helping Houston trim the deficit to 57-54 by halftime.

Despite Phoenix holding an 84-81 lead entering the fourth, the Rockets’ late surge proved too much, sealing one of their most impressive wins of the season. -Field Level Media/Reuters