Image Source: Ryan Young
Key Takeaways
- Kevin Durant hit a game-winning shot with 1.1 seconds left on the clock to lift the Houston Rockets to a 100-97 win over the Phoenix Suns on Monday.
- Durant’s shot was against his former team, and he admitted that it meant more to him because of that.
- Durant expressed negative feelings towards the Suns organization, saying he felt scapegoated for the team’s problems during his time there.
- The Rockets have won all three of their matchups against the Suns this season, with the next matchup scheduled for April 7.
- Durant finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds in the win, while Devin Booker led the Suns with 27 points in the loss.
Introduction to the Game
The Houston Rockets secured a thrilling 100-97 win over the Phoenix Suns on Monday night, thanks to a game-winning shot by Kevin Durant with just 1.1 seconds left on the clock. This victory was particularly sweet for Durant, as it was against his former team. As he said after the game, "Most definitely," the shot meant more to him because it was against the Suns, a team that he "didn’t want to leave." Durant’s comments suggest that there may be some underlying tension between him and the Suns organization.
Durant’s Post-Game Comments
Durant’s post-game comments shed some light on his feelings towards the Suns. He said, "It feels good to play against a team that booted you out of the building and scapegoated you for all the problems they had." These comments imply that Durant feels the Suns organization placed too much blame on him for the team’s struggles during his time there. As he noted, "I put all my effort and love and care towards the Suns and the Phoenix area and Arizona in general. But that’s just the business, that’s the name of the game." Durant’s words suggest that he is still harboring some negative feelings towards the Suns, but he is trying to move on.
The Game Itself
The game was a closely contested matchup, with the Rockets ultimately emerging victorious. Durant finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds, including the game-winning shot. As he said, "Even though I’m old, I still can play." His performance was matched by his teammates, including Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr., who each finished with 17 points and seven rebounds. The Suns, on the other hand, were led by Devin Booker, who scored 27 points in the loss. Despite the loss, the Suns have won six of their past eight games and are currently sitting at 21-15 on the season.
Moving Forward
The Rockets and Suns will not face each other again until April 7, and it is possible that they may not meet again until next fall if they do not play each other in the playoffs. As Durant noted, "By the time I get home tonight, I probably won’t even remember it. Well, I will remember it, but I’ll try my best to forget about it and move on to the next one." Durant’s comments suggest that he is focused on moving forward and is not dwelling on his past experiences with the Suns. Despite his negative feelings towards the Suns organization, Durant is trying to put the past behind him and focus on the present.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Kevin Durant’s game-winning shot against the Phoenix Suns was a significant moment in the game, and his post-game comments shed some light on his feelings towards his former team. The Rockets’ win was a closely contested matchup, with both teams giving it their all. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how the Rockets and Suns continue to perform, and whether they will meet again in the playoffs. One thing is certain, however: Kevin Durant is still a force to be reckoned with on the court, and his comments suggest that he is driven to succeed, even against his former team.
https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/kevin-durant-calls-out-suns-after-hitting-game-winner-to-lift-rockets-past-his-former-team-i-didnt-want-to-leave-063929606.html
