Devin Booker scored the Phoenix Suns’ final nine points to secure a 102-99 victory over the Houston Rockets on Saturday night.
The win allowed the 2-5 Suns to overcome a massive early deficit at the Mortgage Matchup Center, while the Rockets fell to 7-3 with their second loss, Yahoo Sports reported.
Houston appeared to be in total control during the opening frame. The Suns shot 76 percent in the first quarter, hitting 16 of 21 attempts, while six Rockets turnovers led directly to 12 Phoenix points. By the early stages of the second quarter, the Suns had built a 19-point lead.
The Rockets responded with a 22-3 run to close the first half. During that stretch, the team held Phoenix to 4-of-19 shooting in the second quarter and managed to tie the game at 47-47 by the break. Jabari Smith Jr. contributed 15 points, nine rebounds, and three steals, including two buckets following back-to-back steals.
The third quarter featured 10 lead changes as the game turned into a slugfest. Kevin Durant, who had scored 13 points in the third quarter to bring his total to 19, struggled in the final period. He managed only two points on 1-of-5 shooting during the fourth quarter.
With the score tied at 93 and approximately four and a half minutes remaining, Booker took control of the game. He scored the Suns’ final nine points, which included a step-back three-pointer that extended the lead to five. Booker finished the night with 24 points, including nine in the fourth quarter.
Houston had a final opportunity to force overtime. A jumper from Durant cut the deficit to 102-99 with less than a minute left on the clock. After a missed shot by Booker, Durant attempted a game-tying three-pointer with roughly 10 seconds remaining, but the shot missed. Miles Bridges secured the rebound as time expired.
The Rockets’ offense struggled with efficiency despite the close score. The team shot 29 percent from three-point range, making 10 of 35 attempts. The Rockets' bench was outscored 34-15, with Tari Eason and Reed Sheppard combining for just 3-of-16 shooting.
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Other Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devin Booker | 24 | – | 9 points in 4th |
| Kevin Durant | 21 | – | 2 points in 4th |
| Jabari Smith Jr. | 15 | 9 | 3 steals |
| Alperen Şengün | 15 | – | 11 points in 4th |
| Amen Thompson | 17 | 7 | 4 blocks |
Houston addressed several issues that had plagued their previous outing. After committing 22 turnovers in a loss to Minnesota on Wednesday, the Rockets limited themselves to 14 turnovers on Saturday. They also won the offensive rebounding battle 14-9.
The Rockets played without Clint Capela and Steven Adams, who remained on the injury report. Alperen Şengün handled the interior duties, scoring 11 of his 15 total points during the fourth quarter. Amen Thompson added 17 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks to the Rockets’ effort.
The loss follows a difficult stretch for Houston. While the loss to Minnesota was significant, losing to a Suns team that had dropped four of its last five games adds a different layer of frustration. The Rockets now prepare for a Monday matchup against the Denver Nuggets at the Toyota Center.
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