Kevin Durant Returns as Rockets Visit Suns in Phoenix
The Phoenix Suns host the Houston Rockets in a Saturday matchup at Mortgage Matchup Center, with Kevin Durant returning to Phoenix as a member of Houston. The Rockets arrive at 7-2, while Phoenix is 2-5 and faces questions about defending Houston’s interior attack and three-point shooting.
The Phoenix Suns host the Houston Rockets at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Saturday, with Kevin Durant returning to face his former team as Houston arrives with a 7-2 record, according to the teams’ matchup details.
Phoenix is 2-5. The game opens Houston’s first of two visits to Phoenix this season; the second is scheduled for early February.
Houston’s balance could test a Suns defense that has allowed opponents to shoot 39.4% from three-point range, the third-highest rate in the NBA, according to the game preview.
Durant will play at Mortgage Matchup Center for the second time since being traded to Houston two summers ago. He is averaging 20.8 points on 12.4 field goal attempts per game this season, 4.1 fewer attempts than his previous career low.
Houston has leaned on Alperen Sengun, who leads the team in points, rebounds and field goal attempts. The preview identifies his interior play, combined with the Rockets’ perimeter shooting, as a central challenge for Phoenix.
The Rockets rank 26th in three-point attempts but second in efficiency, making 38.6% of their shots from beyond the arc. Last season, they ranked 10th in three-point percentage at 36.4%, while placing 28th in attempts.
Phoenix allows the 10th-most three-point attempts per game. How the Suns respond when Houston attacks through Sengun could determine whether the Rockets find open perimeter shots.
The Suns are coming off their second win of the season, a Thursday victory over the Orlando Magic. The preview described it as Phoenix’s first complete performance in execution and said the team showed adjustments and better connectivity.
Phoenix has another significant test coming, with the San Antonio Spurs scheduled to arrive on Monday.
The injury report listed Mark Williams as out with left shoulder surgery, Jordan Goodwin as doubtful with right calf soreness and Rasheer Fleming as questionable with a left ankle sprain. Houston listed Steven Adams as out with a right soleus strain.
Before the game, Suns coach Jordan Ott responded to a question about social media discussion involving Durant, team owner Mat Ishbia and Dillon Brooks by saying, “Don't use social media,” according to comments reported before tipoff.
Ott also said the team was focused on its daily work: “Every single day, there's a new challenge out there, and every single day we're trying to get better.”
