Rockets rally from 21-point deficit to defeat Suns

Kevin Durant's 24 points and 5 3-pointers lead Houston's comeback win in Phoenix.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 7:37am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game with overlapping planes of red, purple, and orange, conveying the energy and competitiveness of the matchup between the Rockets and Suns.The Rockets' dramatic comeback win over the Suns showcases the intensity of the NBA playoff race in the West.Houston Today

The Houston Rockets overcame a 21-point deficit in the second half to defeat the Phoenix Suns 119-105 on Tuesday night. Kevin Durant led the Rockets with 24 points and 5 made 3-pointers in his return to Phoenix.

Why it matters

This comeback win helps the Rockets tie the Suns for the 4th spot in the Western Conference standings, making the playoff race in the West even tighter. The Rockets showed resilience in battling back from a large deficit on the road against a fellow playoff contender.

The details

The Rockets trailed by as many as 21 points in the second half before rallying to outscore the Suns 69-44 over the final two quarters. Durant hit 5 of his 3-pointers in the second half to fuel the comeback. Houston's defense also tightened up, limiting the Suns' scoring opportunities down the stretch.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.

The players

Kevin Durant

A star forward for the Houston Rockets who scored 24 points and hit 5 3-pointers to lead his team's comeback.

Houston Rockets

The NBA team that overcame a 21-point deficit to defeat the Phoenix Suns and tie them for 4th place in the Western Conference standings.

Phoenix Suns

The NBA team that lost to the Houston Rockets after leading by 21 points, falling into a tie for 4th place in the Western Conference.

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What they’re saying

“Our guys showed a lot of fight and resilience to come back from that big deficit. Kevin really got us going in the second half with his shooting.”

— Stephen Silas, Head Coach, Houston Rockets

What’s next

The Rockets and Suns will meet again in two weeks for a crucial rematch that could have major playoff seeding implications in the West.

The takeaway

This comeback win demonstrates the Rockets' ability to battle back from large deficits and the team's depth of talent, led by Kevin Durant's scoring outburst. The tight race for playoff positioning in the West makes every game crucial down the stretch.