HOUSTON - The Houston Rockets secured a hard-fought 119-111 victory over the Phoenix Suns on February 12, 2025, showcasing their resilience and teamwork as they extended their winning streak.
The Rockets, improving their record to 34-20, were led by Tari Eason, who finished with 25 points, nine rebounds, and provided significant energy on both ends of the court. Eason’s performance was complemented by Amen Thompson, who achieved the remarkable milestone of his fourth career triple-double, contributing 18 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds. Jalen Green also played a pivotal role, adding 22 points and five assists.
Despite missing key players like Devin Booker, who was sidelined with a lower back contusion, and Bradley Beal, out with left great toe soreness, Kevin Durant continued to shine for the Suns, scoring 37 points along with nine assists. His efforts, though commendable, were not enough to propel the Suns to victory, marking their third consecutive loss and dropping their record to 26-28.
The game saw the Rockets capitalize on the Suns' mistakes, with Houston scoring 28 points off 18 turnovers committed by Phoenix. The turnover issue was particularly detrimental for the Suns, as Tyus Jones, stepping up to fill the void left by injured guards, had six turnovers, many of which led directly to easy baskets for Houston.
Head coach Mike Budenholzer had to navigate the challenges presented by the injuries, resulting in a rotation heavily relying on players like Bol Bol, who scored 15 points and joined Nick Richards, who recorded 11 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Despite leading by eight entering the fourth quarter, the Suns couldn’t maintain their advantage as the Rockets launched a decisive late-game run.
During the final stretch of the fourth quarter, Houston orchestrated an impressive 11-2 run after trailing, which put them up by nine points. This pivotal moment came after the game was tied at 104-104 with just over four minutes remaining. Dillon Brooks played a significant role during this spurt, hitting two three-pointers which solidified the Rockets’ lead.
The Suns had displayed offensive promise earlier, leading 57-51 at halftime after closing the second quarter strong with contributions from their bench. Durant’s unparalleled scoring ability was on full display, and alongside O'Neale's hot shooting, it looked like the Suns might secure the win.
Thompson’s performance, particularly on the boards and facilitating plays, drew praise from his teammates, with Eason noting the significance of keeping pressure on Durant with timely double-teams throughout the game. “We just tried to slow him down,” Eason remarked after the game. “He’s an elite scorer.”
The contest was characterized by close scores and lead changes, with both teams fighting for control. The Rockets had struggled earlier this season, with head coach Ime Udoka’s disappointment evident as he attempted to revitalize their performance. Following this victory, the Rockets are hoping to keep building momentum as they continue their season.
Looking forward, the Suns are using the upcoming All-Star break to regroup, where they’ll face the San Antonio Spurs post-break. With their star players’ health still uncertain, their performance moving forward will remain closely watched as they strive to return to contention. Meanwhile, the Rockets are set to face the Golden State Warriors, where they will seek to build on their recent success.
This game served as another reminder of the tight race within the Western Conference, showcasing not only offensive capabilities but also highlighting the challenges faced especially for teams dealing with injuries.