Devin Booker led Phoenix past the No. 4 Rockets, delivering a narrow win for the No. 21 Suns.
Phoenix beat Houston 102-99 on Saturday, today in Eastern time, after opening with a 35-23 first quarter. Houston answered with a 24-12 second, tying the game 47-47 at halftime. The Suns edged the Rockets 29-28 in the third, then held a two-point advantage in the fourth to finish the three-point win. Devin Booker led Phoenix with 24 points on 10-for-24 shooting, adding two rebounds, three assists, three steals and four turnovers. Jalen Green supplied 16 points on 7-for-14 shooting with three rebounds, six assists, one steal and four turnovers, while Miles Bridges posted 13 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and a block on 5-for-12 shooting without a turnover. Kevin Durant kept Houston close with 21 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, shooting 5-for-14 from the field and 10-for-11 at the line; he added a steal and two turnovers. Amen Thompson had 17 points on 7-for-14 shooting, seven rebounds, four blocks, one steal and one turnover for the Rockets.
Key Performers
Devin Booker, Suns: 24 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals; 10-for-24 FG Kevin Durant, Rockets: 21 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal; 5-for-14 FG, 10-for-11 FT Amen Thompson, Rockets: 17 points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks, 1 steal; 7-for-14 FG
Standings Impact
Phoenix improves from its listed 2-5 record to 3-5, while Houston moves from 7-2 to 7-3. The Suns entered ranked 21st in the power index; the Rockets were fourth.
DYMA Insight
Phoenix turned a fast start into a win even after Houston erased the 12-point first-quarter gap by halftime. The Suns’ 55-52 edge after the break proved just enough.