The Houston Rockets dropped their second consecutive game Wednesday night in a 120-113 loss to the Phoenix Suns.
Kevin Durant registered his 18th career triple-double with 27 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds in the win, but Eric Gordon was the main attraction inside the Toyota Center. In his first game back in Houston, Gordon put on a show against his former team by scoring 27 points on 10 of 15 shooting from the field, 7 of 11 from behind the arc.
After scoring four points during the first quarter, Gordon put the game out of reach for Houston by erupting for 17 points during the second period. His play during the quarter helped the Suns gain a 73-55 lead over the Rockets at the half.
"It's great to be back here — I have a lot of good memories," Gordon said. "I had a lot of fun here in my career. A major turning point in my career was to come to Houston. But tonight, we did what we're supposed to do. It was a special night as a team."
The Rockets traded Gordon to the Los Angeles Clippers in a multi-team deal that included the Memphis Grizzlies on Feb. 9. The deal ended Gordon's tenure with the Rockets — the team he chose as a free agent in July 2016.
Gordon became a prominent part of the franchise's success during his first four years. While playing next to James Harden, Gordon's production as Houston's Sixth Man helped the Rockets make a handful of deep playoff runs, which included coming one game short of the 2018 NBA Finals. Houston fell 4-3 in the Western Conference Finals to the Golden State Warriors.
Gordon played six and a half seasons in Houston and averaged 15.7 points on 36 percent shooting from behind the arc. He won NBA Sixth Man of the Year honors during his first season in 2017.
But Gordon's role in Houston became more influential as the veteran leader for a rebuilding team. Gordon's desire to win was the primary decision that led to his departure. But despite his exit 10 months ago, Gordon is still keeping tabs on his former teammates.
"I watch them from time to time," Gordon said. "A lot of those guys are doing well. Alperen [Şengün] is doing well. Tari [Eason] and Jabari [ Smith Jr.] are still young but are starting to fit in. But the way they are playing right now, it's pretty good."
Gordon revealed that there was friendly trash talk during the game. Jalen Green, who scored 23 points in the loss, said he was happy to see his former vet despite the shooting clinic he displayed in his return.
The last time Gordon played a professional game in Houston, the Rockets sustained a heartbreaking loss to the Sacramento Kings on Feb. 8. Gordon fouled De'Aaron Fox in the final seconds, which led to the All-Star point guard nailing three consecutive game-winning free throws.
He was the reason behind the Rockets' falling to the Kings last season. But now a member of the Suns, Gordon played a significant role in the Rockets sustaining another defeat on their home floor.
"I made a lot of threes here — a ton of them," Gordon said. "It was a great place for me. And now, I am on the hunt to try and win something."
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