The Houston Rockets avenged their recent loss with a thunderous victory over the Phoenix Suns, outplaying the Arizona team with a 118-109 win on Saturday night. Headlining the Rockets were Jalen Green with a stellar 34-point performance, including a barrage of six 3-pointers, and Fred VanVleet, who put up a solid 24-point effort, with the duo effectively dismantling the Suns’ defense . Meanwhile, the Suns were further dismayed when their star player Devin Booker suffered a sprained right ankle during a tangle with teammate Royce O’Neale, according to ABC News.
Phoenix’s troubling evening didn’t end there; guard Bradley Beal, returning to action after a hamstring injury, left the court following a scuffle with Green in the third quarter, which resulted in his ejection after receiving two quick technicals, 12 News reported. Adding insult to injury, the Suns also lost Jusuf Nurkic to a sprained neck, as well as O’Neale’s ankle in the collision that knocked Booker down.
The Rockets went on an all-out offense from the start, building a 38-19 lead at the end of the first quarter and holding the lead 54-44 at halftime. Rockets coach Ime Udoka praised his team’s aggressive play, calling it “night and day of the last game,” where the Rockets struggled to get off to a slow start, as reported ABC News.
Kevin Durant’s splendid effort for the Suns, who racked up 30 points, and a combined 44 points from Booker and O’Neale, proved insufficient against the Rockets’ relentless charge. Amid a Suns rally that cut the lead to a single point, VanVleet’s three-point basket halted the comeback in a moment charged with intensity. Suns coach Frank Vogel praised the opposition, admitting, “Credit to Houston: They came out with a lot of urgency and they were able to get the win,” according to comments obtained by ABC News.
A bright spot for Suns fans amid this loss was a halftime ceremony honoring former Phoenix basketball superstar Amare Stoudemire, who was inducted into the ring honor of the Suns. Stoudemire’s legacy with the Suns spans eight seasons and includes five All-Star team appearances, a testament to his lasting impact on the franchise.
