Houston Rockets' Kevin Durant (7) celebrates his three-point winning basket against the Phoenix Suns in the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Kevin Durant caps Rockets' double-digit comeback with game-winning triple

By Colby Colwell | Last updated Jan 5, 2026 11:54 PM ET

The Houston Rockets were down 13 to the Phoenix Suns in the third quarter of Monday night's game, but that did not stop them from completing a late comeback.

Houston (22-11) came all the way back to tie the game at 78 at the conclusion of the third quarter and both teams battled to the end in a 100-97 win for the Rockets, courtesy of a game-winning three from two-time champion Kevin Durant.

Durant led the team with 26 points (9-of-21 FG, 2-of-12 3PT) on a night in which the Rockets shot just 9-of-37 (24%) from long range. While Durant was not immune to the poor shooting himself, he stepped up when the game was on the line and showed why the Rockets made a historic trade for him in the offseason.

Kevin Durant sinks Suns with game-winning triple

Suns guard Devin Booker had a shot to give Phoenix the lead and record his second straight game-winner after taking down the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. Instead, he missed a fade away jumper, and Durant made him pay with this 27-footer to take down his former team.

KEVIN DURANT HITS THE CLUTCH 3 TO WIN IT FOR HOUSTON pic.twitter.com/1lC1qjT0Ok
— NBA (@NBA) January 6, 2026

Durant has been exceptional all season for the Rockets, but he has been on a heater of late with 20 or more points in 11 consecutive games, including 30 or more in five of them.

Even on a night when the shots were not falling at the rate you would expect from Durant, there was no doubt when the ball was in his hands with the clock winding down.

The win is Houston's fifth in its last six games as it sits six games back of the Thunder (30-7) and two back of the San Antonio Spurs (25-10) in the Western Conference standings.

The Rockets had to work for this one, but they improved their home record to 11-2 and benefited from the late-game heroics of Durant. As long as they have him, the Rockets are always going to have a chance, even when their backs are against the wall.

Colby Colwell

Colby Colwell is a freelance contributor with a bachelor’s in Computer & Information Technology and a minor in Psychology from Western Kentucky University. With a deep passion for sports, especially NASCAR, he offers his substantial knowledge along with his adept writing skills. When he’s not writing, Colby enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with his family

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