“I’d Been Scapegoated,” Kevin Durant Enjoyed Silencing Phoenix Suns With Game-Winner After Heart-Breaking Trade

In one of the best games of the 2025-26 season, Kevin Durant led the Houston Rockets to a 100-97 victory over his former club, the Phoenix Suns, at the Toyota Arena on Monday night. This was their third meeting of the season after two blowout wins. It was Durant who hit the three-pointer with 1.1 seconds to go and give the Rockets the lead.

It was an important game even though there are nearly 50 games to go in the regular season. The win propelled the Rockets to fifth in the Western Conference standings with a 22-11 record. The Rockets are now just 0.5 games ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are in sixth place, while the Suns remain in seventh and suffered just their second loss in their last eight games.

In the midst of the 2022-23 season, Kevin Durant was traded to the Suns. He went on to spend two more seasons with the club, but in the end, the whole trade was considered a failure. In his last season with the Suns, they did not even make it to the playoffs. In the offseason this year, Durant was traded to the Rockets in a blockbuster deal involving seven teams, the largest in NBA history.

This is Durant’s third franchise since leaving the Golden State Warriors in 2019. Since then, Durant has won just two playoff series. The two-time NBA Champion has often been accused of being a ‘ring chaser’ despite his immense talent.

But Durant appears to be having a good time in Houston and has been instrumental to their strong start to the season. The forward is currently averaging 25.7 points, five rebounds and 4.6 assists and has turned the Rockets into strong title contenders this season.

During the post-match press conference, Durant was asked if his game-winning shot meant more as it was against his former team, the former MVP replied:

Most definitely. A place that I didn’t want to leave. My first time, I don’t want to sound too dramatic, but I will — to be kicked out of a place. It feels good to play against a team that booted you out of the building and scapegoated you for all the problems they had. And it hurt because I put all my effort and love and care towards the Suns and the Phoenix area and Arizona in general. So, when you play against a [former] team, yeah, you got a chip on your shoulder.

Kevin Durant said he was "scapegoated" for Suns' poor season last year. Adds he felt like he was "kicked out of" Phoenix, had chip on his shoulder tonight.

Full quote from @KDTrey5 ⬇️

"I don't mean to sound too dramatic, but I will. To be kicked out of a a place and I felt like… pic.twitter.com/Y7PloYZpvl

— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) January 6, 2026

Durant was an All-Star in both his seasons with the Suns, but he failed to meet the expectations due to their poor postseason results. But it appears that everything worked out for the better for Durant as he looks to win his third championship this season.

Fred VanVleet might still return this season

Fred VanVleet tore his ACL before the Rockets’ training camp in the offseason. Hence, it was expected that the Rockets guard would be ruled out for the entire 2025-26 campaign. But there have been recent reports that his return in 2026 has not yet been ruled out.

Rockets head coach Ime Udoka addressed VanVleet’s injury progress in the press conference.

Looking at the progression, I’ve had a few [torn ACLs] so I know the week-to-week progression, how much you can really start to do and the progression you can see in general. He’s taking strides, and he’s hit these benchmarks. But for us, we’re operating as if he won’t be back this year, but we know the possibility is there based on timeline. If we get him back, pleasantly surprised, obviously.

Rockets HC Ime Udoka on Fred VanVleet:
“He's taking strides, and he's hit these benchmarks, but for us we're operating as if he won't be back this year, but we know the possibility is there based on timeline. If we get him back, we will be pleasantly surprised.” #Sarge pic.twitter.com/xqBsmpbWkg

— BIG SARGE MEDIA LLC (@BigSargeSportz) January 6, 2026

Last season, the 31-year-old averaged 14.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 5,6 assists. He played an important role in helping the Rockets finish second in the Western Conference standings last season. If VanVleet does manage to return this season, it would be a huge boost for the Rockets in the playoffs.

Ime Udoka set up Kevin Durant’s game-winner

It was a hard-fought victory for the Rockets in a back-and-forth match. While Durant grabbed the headlines, his teammates put in important shifts as well. The Rockets were down by six heading into the second half before taking the win after several lead changes.

Udoka detailed the final play that set up Kevin Durant’s game-winner in the press conference:

We just get him open to a spot… he walked into a shot and said it felt good as soon as he let it go. I would say it might be a little tougher at four seconds… but he would have made the pass and had an open look either way.

It was the Rockets’ 11th win in 13 games at home, showcasing their home-court dominance. They take on the Portland Trail Blazers next on the road on Wednesday night

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