Kevin Durant returns to Phoenix, reignites debate over Houston trade

The former Suns star hits a game-winning 3 against his old team, sparking renewed controversy over the blockbuster deal.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 5:50pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a basketball player in mid-jump, the ball arcing through the air, surrounded by sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in the team colors of the Suns and Rockets, conceptually representing the controversy over a high-profile trade.A game-winning shot that reignites debate over a blockbuster NBA trade.Houston Today

Kevin Durant hit a game-winning 3-pointer to lift the Houston Rockets to a 100-97 victory over the Phoenix Suns on January 5, 2026. The dramatic shot came just months after the Suns traded Durant to the Rockets in a blockbuster offseason deal, reigniting debate over the controversial move.

Why it matters

Durant's return to Phoenix and game-winning heroics against his former team have rekindled intense scrutiny over the Suns' decision to trade away their superstar. The move was widely criticized at the time, and Durant's continued excellence in Houston has only amplified questions about whether Phoenix made the right call.

The details

In the final seconds of the January 5th matchup, Durant drained a clutch 3-pointer to seal the Rockets' narrow victory over the Suns. The shot came just months after the Suns traded Durant to Houston in a blockbuster offseason deal that sent shockwaves through the NBA.

  • On January 5, 2026, Kevin Durant hit a game-winning 3-pointer against the Phoenix Suns.
  • The Suns traded Durant to the Rockets in a major offseason deal prior to the 2025-26 season.

The players

Kevin Durant

A 12-time NBA All-Star and former NBA champion, Durant is one of the league's premier superstars who was recently traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Houston Rockets.

Houston Rockets

An NBA franchise based in Houston, Texas that acquired Kevin Durant in a blockbuster trade with the Phoenix Suns prior to the 2025-26 season.

Phoenix Suns

An NBA franchise based in Phoenix, Arizona that traded away superstar Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets in a controversial offseason deal.

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What they’re saying

“That was a tough shot, but that's why he's one of the best players in the league. We had our chances, but Durant made the play when it counted most.”

— Devin Booker, Suns Guard

What’s next

The Suns and Rockets will face off again on March 15, 2026, giving Phoenix another chance to prove the Durant trade was the right move.

The takeaway

Kevin Durant's game-winning heroics against his former team have reignited the intense debate over the Suns' controversial decision to trade away their superstar. The move continues to be widely questioned, and Durant's continued excellence in Houston has only amplified concerns about whether Phoenix made the right call.