Phoenix Suns fall to Houston Rockets: Jalen Green shines in the desert

After losing to Phoenix in the previous matchup, the Houston Rockets got their revenge tonight as they defeated the Suns 118-109 at Footprint Center behind Jalen Green’s huge scoring explosion.

These teams are on different timelines in this stage of the season, as Houston is looking to build and develop their young core while Phoenix is trying to compete for a title. The Texan team has a promising future with Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr. Jalen Green, and Amen Thompson, and now with another lottery pick they will be able to compete for a playoff spot very soon.

Meanwhile, 2021 Western Conference champs are still trying to gain chemistry between their big 3 of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, and they will have a month left in the regular season before playing the most competitive basketball of their first season together.

The second overall pick in 2021 shined tonight, going for 34 points and 9 rebounds while hitting 6 three pointers. Fred VanVleet also shot amazing from deep, hitting 6 triples as well to finish with 24 points and 11 assists. Alperen Sengun recorded 21 points and 10 rebounds while Jabari Smith Jr. scored 14 points.

Kevin Durant led his team with 30 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Devin Booker scored 24 points but suffered an ankle injury late in the game, so this will be something that Phoenix needs to monitor. Bradley Beal returned from a 5-game absence and finished with 7 points before getting ejected for picking up his second technical foul. Royce O’Neale recorded 20 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.

This win improves the Rockets to 26-34, sitting currently at 12th in the West. After losing a hard-fought battle to this team on Thursday, it must have felt nice to get their revenge before leaving Arizona. This victory snaps a 3-game losing streak and they are now 3-7 over their last 10 matchups. Houston will go back home to face Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday.

Phoenix drops to 35-25 with this loss and fall to 6th in the Western Conference. They sit just 0.5 games above the 7th seeded Kings and in this tight playoff race, every loss hurts as it pushes them closer to the play-in tournament. The Suns are 6-4 over their last 10 games and will play against the Oklahoma City Thunder tomorrow.