ROCKETS BLAST SUNS

Rockets extend hot streak with lopsided win over Suns

Rockets Jalen Green
The Rockets beat the Suns 148-109. Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images.

Jalen Green scored 33 points for Houston, and Phoenix star Kevin Durant left with an ankle injury in the Rockets' 148-109 romp over the Suns on Sunday night.

Durant fell to the floor with 6:57 left in the third quarter after he stepped on Rockets Jabari Smith Jr.‘s foot. Durant got to his feet, but could not put weight on his left leg. Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said Durant will have an MRI on Monday and will not accompany the team to Milwaukee for a game Tuesday night.

Durant finished with 11 points in 23 minutes, but the Rockets were already well ahead, having taken a 78-49 lead at halftime. Houston (49-26) has won 12 of its last 13 and is second in the Western Conference standings, two games ahead of Denver.

Alperen Sengun had 16 points and nine rebounds and rookie Amen Thompson had 12 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists for the Rockets. Neither played in the fourth quarter as Houston led by 42 points.

Devin Booker scored 28 points for the Suns, who fell two games behind Dallas for the final play-in spot in the West with six games remaining. It was Phoenix’s third loss in a row.

Rockets forward Dillon Brooks was ejected i n the second quarter after a brief shoving match with Durant. He was assessed two technical fouls while Durant and Nick Richards each received one.

Takeaways

Rockets: The Rockets are 12-4 in March with a game remaining.

Suns: Own the tiebreaker against the Mavericks based on winning the season series from Dallas. But with or without Durant, five of their last six games are against playoff teams.

Key moment

After Brooks’ ejection, Houston outscored Phoenix 23-11 the rest of the half to lead by 29 at the break.

Key stat

Phoenix committed 19 turnovers leading to 34 Houston points.

Up next

The Rockets are at the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night. The Suns are at Milwaukee on Tuesday night.

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Will Durant retire with the Rockets? Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images.

In this episode, we dive into the biggest questions surrounding Kevin Durant’s future. Is KD planning to end his legendary career in Houston, or could there be another move on the horizon?

We also explore whether Durant might follow in the footsteps of other NBA greats and move into a TV analyst role after retirement. Could we see KD breaking down games?

Meanwhile, young star Cam Whitmore has become a hot name in trade talks. Will the Rockets hold onto him, or is a big move coming this offseason?

Don't miss the video below as ESPN Houston's Del Olaleye breaks it all down!

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